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US 8,541,322 B2Granted
Sidewall functionalization of carbon nanotubes with organosilanes for polymer composites
AssigneeWilliam Marsh Rice University
InventorsEnrique V. Barrera, Jiang Zhu, Lei Zhang, Valery N. Khabashesku, Johm L. Margrave, Jong Dae Kim
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to methods of functionalizing carbon nanotubes (CNTs), particularly single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), with organosilane species, wherein such functionalization enables fabrication of advanced polymer composites. The present invention is also directed toward the functionalized CNTs, advanced CNT-polymer composites made with such functionalized CNTs, and methods of making such advanced CNT-polymer composites.
Claims14
A composite material, comprising:
- a) carbon nanotubes, wherein the carbon nanotubes are silane-functionalized with an organosilane species;
- b) a fiber reinforcement material, wherein the fiber reinforcement material comprises glass fibers and wherein the organosilane species further silane-functionalizes the glass fibers;
- c) a polymer;
- wherein the carbon nanotubes are covalently bound to both the fiber reinforcement material and the polymer;
- wherein the carbon nanotubes continuously coat the fiber reinforcement material so as to exclude the polymer between the carbon nanotubes and the fiber reinforcement material;
- and
- wherein the carbon nanotubes comprise a bridge between the fiber reinforcement material and the polymer.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.