Low temperature single-wall carbon nanotube synthesis
AssigneeHonda Motor Co., Ltd.
InventorsElena Mora, John M. Pigos, Avetik R. Harutyunyan
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Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to a method for producing SWCNT from endothermic carbon-containing feedstock, such as, methane gas, using an activated alumina supported Fe:Mo catalyst. The SWCNT growth temperature is less than about 560° C., and the catalyst is activated by exposure to a reducing atmosphere at a temperature greater than about 900° C.
Claims24
A method of producing single-walled carbon nanotubes comprising:
- providing a nanotube-producing catalyst composition;
- providing a reducing atmosphere;
- contacting the nanotube-producing catalyst composition with the reducing atmosphere;
- heating the nanotube-producing catalyst composition and the reducing atmosphere to a first temperature between 820° C. and 900° C.;
- cooling the nanotube-producing catalyst composition to a second temperature no greater than 560° C.;
- providing an endothermic carbon-containing feedstock;
- contacting the endothermic carbon-containing feedstock with the nanotube-producing catalyst composition, and
- producing single-walled carbon nanotubes.
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A method of producing single-walled carbon nanotubes comprising:
- providing an Fe and Mo-containing catalyst composition supported on alumina;
- providing a reducing atmosphere;
- contacting the Fe and Mo-containing catalyst composition supported on alumina with the reducing atmosphere;
- heating the Fe and Mo-containing catalyst composition supported on alumina and the reducing atmosphere to a first temperature between 820° C. and 900° C.;
- cooling the Fe and Mo-containing catalyst composition supported on alumina to a second temperature no greater than 560° C.;
- providing an endothermic carbon-containing feedstock;
- contacting the endothermic carbon-containing feedstock with the Fe and Mo-containing catalyst composition supported on alumina, and
- producing single-walled carbon nanotubes.
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A method of conditioning catalysts to produce single-walled carbon nanotubes comprising:
- providing an Fe and Mo-containing catalyst composition supported on alumina;
- providing a reducing atmosphere;
- contacting the Fe and Mo-containing catalyst composition supported on alumina with the reducing atmosphere;
- heating the Fe and Mo-containing catalyst composition supported on alumina and the reducing atmosphere to a first temperature for a time sufficient to thereby fully reduce the Fe and Mo-containing catalyst composition to the metal state and remove substantially all residual oxygen initially present in the catalyst;
- cooling the Fe and Mo-containing catalyst composition supported on alumina to a second temperature no greater than 560° C.;
- providing a methane-containing feedstock;
- contacting the methane-containing feedstock with the Fe and Mo-containing catalyst composition supported on alumina, and
- producing single-walled carbon nanotubes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.