Methods for producing reinforced carbon nanotubes
AssigneeThe Trustees of Boston College
InventorsZhifen Ren, Jian Guo Wen, Jing Y. Lao, Wenzhi Li
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Abstract
Methods for producing reinforced carbon nanotubes having a plurality of microparticulate carbide or oxide materials formed substantially on the surface of such reinforced carbon nanotubes composite materials are disclosed. In particular, the present invention provides reinforced carbon nanotubes (CNTs) having a plurality of boron carbide nanolumps formed substantially on a surface of the reinforced CNTs that provide a reinforcing effect on CNTs, enabling their use as effective reinforcing fillers for matrix materials to give high-strength composites. The present invention also provides methods for producing such carbide reinforced CNTs.
Claims20
A method of manufacturing a reinforced carbon nanotube material comprising the steps of:
- a) contacting a plurality of carbon nanotubes with a mineral acid to produce acid-treated carbon nanotubes;
- b) mixing the acid-treated carbon nanotubes with a carbide forming source material to form a mixture thereof;
- c) enclosing the mixture within a metallic material;
- d) placing the metallic material containing the mixture in a reaction chamber, wherein the reaction chamber is capable of being pumped to a reduced pressure atmosphere and heated to a reaction temperature;
- e) pumping the reaction chamber to the reduced pressure atmosphere;
- and
- f) heating the reaction chamber to the reaction temperature causing formation of microparticulate carbide material on a surface of the acid-treated carbon nanotubes to produce the reinforced carbon nanotube material.
A method of producing a reinforced composite material comprising:
- producing a plurality of carbon nanotubes;
- mixing the plurality of carbon nanotubes with a carbide forming source material to form a mixture;
- placing the mixture in a metallic material;
- placing the metallic material in a reaction chamber, wherein the reaction chamber is capable of being pumped to a reduced pressure atmosphere and heated to a reaction temperature;
- pumping the reaction chamber to the reduced pressure atmosphere;
- heating the reaction chamber to the reaction temperature to cause formation of a reinforced carbon nanotube material, wherein the reinforced carbon nanotube material comprises microparticulate carbide material on a surface of the plurality of carbon nanotubes;
- and
- mixing a matrix material with the reinforced carbon nanotube material to produce a reinforced composite material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.