US 8,093,174 B2 · Catalyst-supporting carbon nanohorn composite and process for producing same

Abstract

A carbon nanohorn (CNH) is oxidized to make an opening in the side of the CNH. A substance to be included, e.g., a metal, is introduced through the opening. The inclusion substance is moved to a tip part of the carbon nanohorn through heat treatment in vacuum or an inert gas. The CNH is further heat treated in an atmosphere containing oxygen in a low concentration to remove the carbon layer in the tip through catalysis of the inclusion substance. This exposes the inclusion substance. If the inclusion substance is a metal which is not moved to a tip part by the heat treatment in vacuum or an inert gas, the carbon part surrounding the fine catalyst particle is specifically burned by a heat treatment in an low oxygen concentration atmosphere, while utilizing the catalysis. Thus, the fine catalyst particle is fixed to the tip part of the CNH.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A catalyst-supporting carbon nanohorn composite, comprising:

a carbon nanohorn;
and
fine particles of the catalyst supported in an inside of the carbon nanohorn,
wherein open pores are formed in said carbon nanohorn, and wherein the fine particles of the catalyst are fitted into the open pores in a manner of being partially exposed outside of said carbon nanohorn.

1 more element

A process for manufacturing a catalyst-supporting carbon nanohorn composite, a carbon nanohorn supporting fine particles of a catalyst in an internal tip section, comprising:

(21) forming open pores in the carbon nanohorn;
(22) introducing the fine particles of a catalyst or a precursor thereof in the inside of the carbon nanohorn through the open pores;
(23) moving the introduced fine particles of the catalyst or a precursor thereof from the periphery of the open pores to a tip section of the carbon nanohorn;
and
(24) removing sections of the carbon nanohorn where the moved fine particles of the catalyst or a precursor thereof are in contact with the carbon nanohorn to partially expose the fine particles of the catalyst or a precursor thereof outside of said carbon nanohorn.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Catalyst-supporting carbon nanohorn composite and process for producing same

Life of this patent

Catalyst-supporting carbon nanohorn composite and process for producing same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22