Reinforced carbon nanotubes
AssigneeThe Trustees of Boston College
InventorsZhifen Ren, Jian Guo Wen, Jing Y. Lao, Wenzhi Li
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Abstract
The present invention relates generally to reinforced carbon nanotubes, and more particularly to reinforced carbon nanotubes having a plurality of microparticulate carbide or oxide materials formed substantially on the surface of such reinforced carbon nanotubes composite materials. In particular, the present invention provides reinforced carbon nanotubes (CNTs) having a plurality of boron carbide nanolumps formed substantially on a surface of the reinforced CNTs that provide a reinforcing effect on CNTs, enabling their use as effective reinforcing fillers for matrix materials to give high-strength composites. The present invention also provides methods for producing such carbide reinforced CNTs.
Claims55
A carbon nanotube material comprising a microparticulate carbide or oxide material, said microparticulate carbide or oxide material existing substantially on the surface of said carbon nanotube material.
A method of manufacturing a carbon nanotube material comprising a microparticulate carbide material, said microparticulate carbide material existing substantially on the surface of said carbon nanotube material comprising the steps of:
- a) contacting a plurality of carbon nanotubes with a mineral acid;
- b) mixing the acid-treated carbon nanotubes with a carbide forming source material to form a mixture thereof;
- c) enclosing the mixture of carbon nanotubes and carbide forming source material within a metallic material;
- d) placing the metal material containing the mixture of carbon nanotubes and carbide forming source material in a heating chamber;
- e) subjecting the heating chamber to a reduced pressure atmosphere;
- and
- f) maintaining the heating chamber at an elevated sufficient to cause formation of microparticulate carbide material on the surface of the carbon nanotube material.
A method of forming a composite material comprising a carbon nanotube material and a matrix material, said method comprising the step of combining said carbon nanotube material with a matrix material to form a composite material, wherein the carbon nanotube material comprises a microparticulate carbide or oxide material.
A composite material comprising a carbon nanotube material and a matrix material, said carbon nanotube material comprising a microparticulate carbide material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.