Processes and applications of carbon nanotube dispersions
AssigneeThe Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
InventorsArjun G. Yodh, Mohammad F. Islam, Alan T. Johnson, JR., Danvers E. Johnston
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Abstract
Disclosed are copolymers of carbon nanotubes, as well as processes and applications of carbon nanotube dispersions. Carbon nanotube emulsions and related technology are also disclosed. The controlled deposition of carbon nanotubes on substrates is also provided. Methods of purifying single-walled carbon nanotubes are also provided. Devices made according to the disclosed methods are further described herein.
Claims48
A copolymer, comprising:
- a plurality of end-linked single-wall carbon nanotubes.
A compound, comprising:
- a carbon nanotube comprising two open ends and at least one functional group bonded at each of said open ends.
A method, comprising:
- opening both ends of a carbon nanotube;
- providing at least one covalently-bound functional group to each of said ends;
- and
- covalently bonding at least one monomeric compound to said at least one covalently-bound functional group.
A polymer, comprising:
- a chain structure of a plurality of covalently-bonded open-ended carbon nanotubes.
A method, comprising:
- providing a T-channel microfluidic device, comprising:
- a microchannel comprising an inlet, a junction and an exit;
- a first fluid conduit capable of transporting a first fluid into the microchannel at said inlet;
- a second fluid conduit, said second fluid conduit capable of transporting a second fluid into the microchannel at said junction;
- fluidically transporting said first fluid from said first conduit into said microchannel;
- fluidically transporting said second fluid from said second conduit into said microchannel, and;
- forming a dispersed phase of said second fluid in a continuous phase of said first fluid in the microchannel, wherein said first fluid, said second fluid, or both, comprise an aqueous dispersion of carbon nanotubes.
A method, comprising:
- providing a patterned substrate comprising a polymer layer and exposed surface features;
- bonding charged linker molecules, linker molecules capable of being charged, or both, to said exposed surface features;
- removing said polymer layer;
- optionally charging the linker molecules capable of being charged;
- and
- bonding charged carbon nanotubes to the charged linker molecules, wherein the charge of the charged carbon nanotubes is opposite the charge of the charged linker molecules bonded to the exposed surface features.
A substrate, comprising:
- a surface feature comprising one or more charged linker molecules;
- and
- a charged carbon nanotube controllably deposited on said charged linker molecules, wherein the charge of the charged carbon nanotube is opposite the charge of the charged linker molecules.
A process, comprising:
- providing an aqueous carbon nanotube dispersion comprising water and individual, dispersed, carbon nanotubes;
- and
- chromatographically separating said carbon nanotubes.
A device, comprising:
- a substrate fluidically sealed to a microfluidic assembly, said substrate comprising charged carbon nanotubes adsorbed on one or more charged regions on a surface of the substrate, wherein the charge of the charged carbon nanotubes is opposite the charge of the charged regions
- said microfluidic assembly comprising
- one or more contacting regions adjacently positioned to the substrate for controllably contacting one or more molecular components to said carbon nanotubes;
- one or more target fluid conduits capable of supplying one or more target fluids comprising one or more analytes;
- one or more detecting molecule conduits capable of supplying one or more detecting molecules for detecting said analytes in the target fluids;
- one or more valves capable of directing said target fluids and said detecting molecules into said contacting regions;
- and
- optionally one or more exit conduits.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.