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AssigneeWilliam Marsh Rice University
InventorsRichard E. Smalley, Daniel T. Colbert, Ken A. Smith, Michael O'Connell
Estimating the term…
The present invention relates to new compositions of matter and articles of manufacture comprising SWNTs as nanometer scale conducting rods dispersed in an electrically-insulating matrix. These compositions of matter have novel and useful electrical, mechanical, and chemical properties including applications in antennas, electromagnetic and electro-optic devices, and high-toughness materials. Other compositions of matter and articles of manufacture are disclosed, including polymer-coated and polymer wrapped single-wall nanotubes (SWNTs), small ropes of polymer-coated and polymer-wrapped SWNTs and materials comprising same. This composition provides one embodiment of the SWNT conducting-rod composite mentioned above, and also enables creation of high-concentration suspensions of SWNTs and compatibilization of SWNTs with polymeric matrices in composite materials. This solubilization and compatibilization, in turn, enables chemical manipulation of SWNT and production of composite fibers, films, and solids comprising SWNTs.
A dielectric material comprising a plurality of single-wall carbon nanotubes coated at least in part with a polymer molecule, wherein the polymer-coated single-wall carbon nanotubes are substantially electrically-isolated from one another.
A dielectric material comprising a plurality of aggregates of single-wall carbon nanotubes, wherein the aggregates are coated at least in part with a polymer molecule and wherein the aggregates of single-wall carbon nanotubes are substantially electrically-isolated from one another.
A method comprising:
A method comprising:
A method comprising:
A method comprising:
A film comprising a plurality of aggregates of single-wall carbon nanotubes, wherein:
A fiber comprising a plurality of aggregates of single-wall carbon nanotubes, wherein:
A method comprising:
A method comprising:
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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Use of pretreated ingredients: ingredients agglomerated by treatment with a binding agent
Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission
Nanotechnology for materials or surface science
Of carbon: with organic compounds, e.g. macromolecular compounds
Term ended 11 Nov 2022 (estimated)
This patent invention is related to the following corresponding PCT/U.S. Patent Applications, all of which also claim priority from the above referenced provisional patent applications and all of which PCT/U.S. Patent Applications are also incorporated herein by reference:
International Application No. PCT/US 01/26308, “POLYMER-WRAPPED SINGLE WALL CARBON NANOTUBES” to Smalley et al., filed concurrent to the date of this Application;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/935,995, “POLYMER-WRAPPED SINGLE WALL CARBON NANOTUBES” to Smalley et al., filed concurrent to the date of this Application; and
Various features and objects of the invention will be best appreciated with reference to a detailed description of specific embodiments of the invention, which follows, when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a single-wall carbon nanotube—one carbon atom resides at each line intersection in the figure. Depending on the production parameters, the nanotube diameter ranges from about 0.6 to about 1.6 nanometers, and the normal tube segment lengths range between 30 and 3000 nanometers.
FIGS. 2A–2C show schematically how polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) conforms to the SWNT, forming a wrapping that electrically isolates one tube from another. In particular, these figures show possible wrapping arrangements of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) on an (8,8) SWNT. A double helix (FIG. 2A), a triple helix (FIG. 2B), and an internal-rotation induced switch-back (FIG. 2C) are shown.
In the disclosure that follows, in the interest of clarity, not all features of actual implementations are described. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any such project, numerous engineering decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific objectives, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, attention will necessarily be paid to proper engineering practices for the environment(s) in question. It will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the relevant fields.
One aspect of the present invention is a composition that comprises one or more single-wall carbon nanotubes, each of which is coated at least in part with a polymer molecule. FIG. 1 illustrates a single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT), and FIGS. 2A–2C shows three possible arrangements of polymer molecules wrapped around a SWNT. FIG. 2 is illustrative of one possible means in which the similar sizes of the SWNT and polymer enable an individual polymer molecule to contact an individual SWNT at many points, establishing an effective and intimate contact between the polymer and SWNT. Although the arrangements shown in FIGS. 2A–2C are regular and symmetrical, it should be understood that the invention also encompasses arrangements in which the polymer is wrapped in a non-regular and/or non-symmetrical manner around a SWNT. In some embodiments of the invention, the polymer is present as a mono-molecular layer on the SWNT. However, it is also possible to have a thicker layer of polymer present. Likewise, while in some embodiments of the invention the polymer wraps or coats only part of the exterior surface of the SWNT, as shown in FIGS. 2A–2C, in other embodiments of the invention the SWNT may be completely coated (i.e., encapsulated) by polymer.
A variety of polymers can be used in the present invention. In some embodiments, amphiphilic polymers, such as polymer surfactants, are especially useful. An amphiphilic polymer is one that contains both hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments. Water soluble polymers are preferred in embodiments in which the solvent used to form the composition comprises water. It is also possible to use two or more different polymers to wrap the SWNT. Among the many polymers that can be used in the present invention are polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), poly(1-vinyl pyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate) (PVP/VA), poly(1-vinyl pyrrolidone-coacrylic acid), poly(1-vinyl pyrrolidone-co-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate), polyvinyl sulfate, poly(sodium styrene sulfonic acid-co-maleic acid), dextran, dextran sulfate, bovine serum albumin (BSA), poly(methyl methacrylate-co-ethyl acrylate), polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, polyallyl amine, and mixtures thereof.