Embodiments described are directed to methods for the functionalization of asphaltene materials and to compositions made from functionalized asphaltenes. Disclosed is a method for synthesizing graphene derivatives, such as 2D single crystalline carbon allotropes of graphene and functional materials, such as sulfonic acid and its derivatives. Also disclosed is a method for the transformation of asphaltene into a source of graphene derivatives and functional materials, such as, 0D, 1D, 2D and combinations of 0D and 1D by utilizing chemical substitution reaction mechanism, such as, electrophilic aromatic substitution, nucleophilic aromatic substitution and Sandmeyer mechanism. Also disclosed are novel graphene materials comprising: acetylenic linkage and hydrogenated graphene. These novel materials, which may be produced by these methods, include, e.g.: 2D single crystalline carbon allotropes of graphene with asymmetric unit formulas C.sub.7H.sub.6N.sub.2O.sub.4, C.sub.6H.sub.4N.sub.2O.sub.4, C.sub.7H.sub.7O.sub.3S− H.sub.3O+, C.sub.7H.sub.7O.sub.3SH+, and a 2D single crystal with asymmetric unit formula (Na.sub.6O.sub.16S.sub.4)n.

The present disclosure is directed to providing a carbon film having an excellent shield performance against electromagnetic waves. The carbon film of the present disclosure is a carbon film made of a carbon nanotube assembly, wherein a pore distribution curve of the carbon film indicating the relationship between the pore size and the Log differential pore capacity obtained from an adsorption isotherm at 77 K of liquid nitrogen based on the Barrett-Joyner-Halenda method has a peak in which the Log differential pore capacity is maximized within a pore size range of 10 nm or more and 100 nm or less, and the value of the Log differential pore capacity at the peak is 1.2 cm.sup.3/g or more.

Disclosed here is a method of fabricating a covalently reinforced carbon nanotube (CNT) assembly. The method includes producing a CNT assembly by pulling entangled CNTs from a CNT array fabricated on a substrate, the CNT assembly including a plurality of CNTs that are aligned; and creating covalent bonding between the CNTs of the CNT assembly by applying a high energy ion irradiation to the CNT assembly.

Disclosed here is a method of fabricating a covalently reinforced carbon nanotube (CNT) assembly. The method includes producing a CNT assembly by pulling entangled CNTs from a CNT array fabricated on a substrate, the CNT assembly including a plurality of CNTs that are aligned; and creating covalent bonding between the CNTs of the CNT assembly by applying a high energy ion irradiation to the CNT assembly.

Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) (e.g., multi-walled VACNTs and methods of synthesizing the same are provided. VACNTs can be synthesized on nickel foam (Ni—F), for example by using a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technique. A wet chemical method can then be used to coat on the VACNTs a layer of nanoparticles, such as tin oxide (SnO.sub.2) nanoparticles.

A nanofiber structure applicator is described that can remove two substrates from opposing major surfaces of a nanofiber structure. The two substrates can have differing adhesive strengths with the nanofiber forest. This difference in adhesive strength can be used to reorient nanofibers that form the nanofiber structure relative to the final surface on which they are applied. This reorienting of the individual nanofibers within a nanofiber structure can be used to tailor some of the properties of the nanofiber structure. Furthermore, the nanofiber structure applicator is configured can improve the convenience with which a nanofiber structure can be transported and applied to an application surface.

A nanofiber structure applicator is described that can remove two substrates from opposing major surfaces of a nanofiber structure. The two substrates can have differing adhesive strengths with the nanofiber forest. This difference in adhesive strength can be used to reorient nanofibers that form the nanofiber structure relative to the final surface on which they are applied. This reorienting of the individual nanofibers within a nanofiber structure can be used to tailor some of the properties of the nanofiber structure. Furthermore, the nanofiber structure applicator is configured can improve the convenience with which a nanofiber structure can be transported and applied to an application surface.

A hydrophilic graphitic material is provided that may be formed by heating a graphitic material to a temperature between about 150° C. to about 1400° C. for an extended period of time under an inert atmosphere. Annealing CNT film at 500 to 1400 removes amorphous carbon to produce purified CNT film. The purified CNT film can be further densified with the treatment of alkylphosphonic acid or alkyldiphophonic acid and heating to produce a hydrophilic, densified CNT film which is mechanically robust and does not adhere to other solid surfaces. These films can be used as filtration membranes with superior membrane fouling resistance among other uses.

A method of forming an polymer composites is disclosed herein that includes infiltrating CNT sponges with a polymer or metal to form a composite. The method uses a relatively easy, scalable, and low-cost synthesis process that makes the composites attractive as TIM. CNTs in the sponge structure are covalently bonded, resulting in a low Young's modulus while at the same time maintaining a good thermal conductivity. This strategy makes it possible to obtain both high deformability and high thermal conductivity, which are difficult to have simultaneously due to their adverse correlation.

A method of forming an polymer composites is disclosed herein that includes infiltrating CNT sponges with a polymer or metal to form a composite. The method uses a relatively easy, scalable, and low-cost synthesis process that makes the composites attractive as TIM. CNTs in the sponge structure are covalently bonded, resulting in a low Young's modulus while at the same time maintaining a good thermal conductivity. This strategy makes it possible to obtain both high deformability and high thermal conductivity, which are difficult to have simultaneously due to their adverse correlation.