Nanotube/metal substrate composites and methods for producing such composites
AssigneeMainstream Engineering Corporation
InventorsRobert Scaringe, Dwight Back, John Meyer, Russell Davis, Gregory Cole
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Carbon nanotubes are grown directly on metal substrates using chemical vapor deposition. Metal substrates are comprised of catalysts which facilitate or promote the growth of carbon nanotubes. The nanotube coated metal substrates have applications including, but not limited to, heat transfer and thermal control, hydrogen storage, fuel cell catalytic reformers, electronics and semiconductors, implantable medical devices or prostheses, and tribological wear and protective coatings.
Claims59
Method, comprising producing a composite by contacting a metal:
- substrate with a feedstock to form nanotubes, and using the composite in devices for one of electrical energy storage and retrieval, gas adsorption and desorption, sensing, catalysis, heat transfer, fuel cells, solar collectors and medical prosthesis.
Method, comprising directly coating a surface of a copper alloy body with carbon nanotubes, and using the body to exchange heat between a gas or liquid.
Method, comprising directly coating a surface of a copper alloy body with carbon nanotubes, and using the body to evaporate and condense fluids.
Method, comprising directly coating a surface of a metal alloy body with nanotubes to form a composite, and optionally coating the coating with at least one of a wear-resistant material, a corrosion-resistant material, a self-lubricant material, a low-friction material and a combination thereof.
Method, comprising directly coating a surface of a metal alloy body with carbon nanotubes, and using the body in a corrosive environment.
Method, comprising directly coating a surface of a copper alloy body with carbon nanotubes, and using the surface for spray cooling applications.
Method, comprising directly coating an inner surface of a copper alloy body of selected configuration or copper alloy wicking material with carbon nanotubes, and using the body or wicking material for heat pipe applications.
Method, comprising directly coating a copper alloy body surface with carbon nanotubes, and using the surface for one of a battery electrode and an ultracapacitor electrode.
Method, comprising directly coating a surface of a copper alloy body with carbon nanotubes, and using the body as an implantable medical device or prosthesis.
Method, comprising directly coating a surface of a copper alloy body with carbon nanotubes, and using the body as a heat sink for electronics cooling.
Method, comprising directly coating a copper alloy with carbon nanotubes to form a composite, and coating the composite with a thermoset or thermoplastic polymer.
Method, comprising directly coating a surface of a metal alloy body with carbon nanotubes.
Method, comprising directly coating a substrate with carbon nanotubes, and removing the carbon nanotubes for reuse thereof.
A continuous coating process, comprising
- (a) heating a metal alloy substrate fed continuously into and out of a CVD furnace;
- (b) introducing one or more feedstock gases into the CVD furnace;
- (c) growing nanotubes on the substrate while substrate is conveyed through the furnace;
- (d) optionally providing different heating zones and gas compositions along the conveyed length of the substrate through the furnace;
- (e) cooling the substrate to ambient temperature and pressure.
A copper alloy substrate-carbon nanotube composite made by
- (a) cleaning the copper alloy substrate;
- (b) introducing said substrate into a furnace;
- (c) heating the substrates and flowing hydrocarbon vapors and optionally hydrogen thereover, and
- (d) optionally subjecting the substrate to one of air, oxygen and plasma to remove amorphous carbon.
Carbon nanotubes produced by
- (a) growing carbon nanotubes on a metal or metal alloy substrate, and
- (b) removing the carbon nanotube coating from the substrate.
Method, comprising directly coating a metal alloy substrate with nanotubes, and applying a polymeric coating thereover.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.