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AssigneeMaterials and Electrochemical Research (MER) Corporation
InventorsRaouf O. Loutfy, Xiao-Chun Lu, Weijiong Li, Michael G. Mikhael
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This invention is directed to the synthesis of high bulk density high gas absorption capacity adsorbents for gas storage applications. Specifically, this invention is concerned with novel gas absorbents with high gravimetric and volumetric gas adsorption capacities which are made from fullerene-based materials. By pressing fullerene powder into pellet form using a conventional press, then polymerizing it by subjecting the fullerene to high temperature and high inert gas pressure, the resulting fullerene-based materials have high bulk densities and high gas adsorption capacities. By pre-chemical modification or post-polymerization activation processes, the gas adsorption capacities of the fullerene-based adsorbents can be further enhanced. These materials are suitable for low pressure gas storage applications, such as oxygen storage for home oxygen therapy uses or on-board vehicle natural gas storage. They are also suitable for storing gases and vapors such as hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor.
The method of storing a gas that comprises maintaining the gas in a closed chamber containing a body of adsorbent material in contact with said gas under pressure above ambient, wherein said body of adsorbent material comprises fullerene based material selected from the group consisting of pelletized fullerene, polymerized fullerene, and pelletized polymerized fullerene.
An adsorbent suitable for storing a gas comprising a pelletized fullerene material having a bulk density of at least 1.4 grams per cubic centimeter.
A storage unit for a gas such as oxygen, comprising a closed chamber suitable for maintaining a gas under pressure above ambient pressure, said chamber containing a body of gas adsorbent material consisting essentially of a fullerene-based material selected from the group consisting of pelletized fullerene, polymerized fullerene, and pelletized polymerized fullerene, and means for selectively accessing said chamber for introducing and withdrawing gas to be stored therein.
The method of preparing a fullerene-based adsorbent suitable for storing a gas that comprises polymerizing a quantity of fullerene material, whereby the fullerene molecules of said material are denatured by breaking their molecular cage structure.
The method of preparing an adsorbent suitable for storing a gas that comprises:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.