Carbon nanotube-containing structures, methods of making, and processes using same
AssigneeBattelle Memorial Institute
InventorsYong Wang, Ya-Huei Chin, Yufei Gao, Christopher L. Aardahl, Terri L. Stewart
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Abstract
Carbon nanotube structures are disclosed in which nanotubes are disposed over a porous support such as a foam, felt, mesh, or membrane. Techniques of making these structures are also disclosed. In some of these techniques, a support is pretreated with a templated surfactant composition to assist with the formation of a nanotube layer.
Claims31
A process of making a porous, carbon nanotube-containing structure, comprising:
- providing a support material having through-porosity;
- depositing seed particles on the support material to form a seeded support material;
- and
- heating the support material and simultaneously exposing the seeded support to a carbon nanotube precursor gas to grow carbon nanotubes on the surface of the seeded support material.
A porous carbon nanotube containing structure comprising:
- a large pore support having through porosity;
- and
- carbon nanotubes disposed over the large pore support.
A method of making a carbon nanotube containing structure, comprising:
- providing a support;
- applying a surfactant template composition over the support;
- forming a solid, silica-containing layer from the surfactant template composition that adheres to the support;
- and
- growing carbon nanotubes on the silica-containing layer.
A microchannel heat exchanger comprising:
- at least one microchannel;
- and
- carbon nanotubes disposed within at least one of said microchannels.
A method of adsorbing a chemical component, comprising:
- contacting a carbon nanotube-containing structure with a chemical component whereby the chemical component is adsorbed on the surface of the structure;
- wherein the carbon nanotube-containing structure comprises a support, carbon nanotubes disposed over the support, and a mesoporous silica layer disposed between the support and the carbon nanotubes.
A method of separating a chemical component, comprising:
- contacting a carbon nanotube-containing structure with a mixture whereby the structure separates at least one component from the mixture;
- wherein the carbon nanotube-containing structure comprises a support, carbon nanotubes disposed over the support, and a mesoporous silica layer disposed between the support and the carbon nanotubes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.