Continuous method for producing inorganic nanotubes
First Claim
1. A method for producing nanoscale hollow inorganic fibrils or nanotubes, comprising moving a carbon-containing substrate within a reaction chamber either through an electric arc in a gap between two electrodes or adjacent an electrode so that an electric arc exists between the electrode and the substrate, with an arc current sufficiently low to cause the nanotubes to form on the substrate by vaporization of the substrate, but without the arc destroying the substrate, as the substrate moves through the arc completely.
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Abstract
Production of nanotubes of carbon or of other inorganic material by moving a carbon-containing substrate, such as a tape or belt of carbon fibers, within a reaction chamber either though an electric arc in a gap between two electrodes or adjacent an electrode so that an electric arc exists between the electrode and the substrate, to cause the nanotubes to form on the substrate. The method enables the continuous or semi-continuous production of nanotubes. Preferably, the process is carried out at atmospheric pressure and nanotubes of high purity are produced.
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32 Claims
- 1. A method for producing nanoscale hollow inorganic fibrils or nanotubes, comprising moving a carbon-containing substrate within a reaction chamber either through an electric arc in a gap between two electrodes or adjacent an electrode so that an electric arc exists between the electrode and the substrate, with an arc current sufficiently low to cause the nanotubes to form on the substrate by vaporization of the substrate, but without the arc destroying the substrate, as the substrate moves through the arc completely.
- 25. A method of producing nanoscale hollow carbon fibrils or nanotubes, comprising moving a tape or belt composed of carbon fibres or filaments having a carbon purity in excess of 99.5% through an electric arc in a gap between two carbon containing electrodes having a carbon purity in excess of 99.5% at a speed sufficient relative to the arc current to form carbon nanotubes on the fibres or filaments of the tape or belt by vaporization of the tape or belt, but without structurally damaging the tape or belt.
- 27. A method for producing nanoscale hollow inorganic fibrils or nanotubes, comprising moving within a reaction chamber a substrate comprising a flexible tape or belt comprising carbon fibres, either through an electric arc in a gap between two electrodes or adjacent an electrode so that an electric arc exists between the electrode and the substrate with the arc current sufficiently low to cause some vaporisation of the substrate, but without the arc completely destroying the substrate, and subsequent formation of carbon nanotubes on the substrate continuously as the substrate moves.
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