A stable form which uses a carbon material having electrical conductivity as a raw material and that the electrical conductivity of the carbon material is retained and/or improved, and which improves the electricity generation properties when used in a catalyst layer for a fuel cell. The present invention is directed to, e.g., a calcined material of a mixture of an aromatic compound having a phenolic hydroxyl group and a carbon material having electrical conductivity.

Methods are disclosed for dispersing nanoparticles in solvents, involving the use of a cationic species and an anionic species, where at least one of the ionic species is soluble in the nonpolar solvent and the other ionic species has a relatively strong affinity for the surface of the nanoparticles. The cationic species and the anionic species together form a cluster of ion pairs shielding the nanoparticles and enhancing their dispersibility in the nonpolar solvent.

Methods are disclosed for dispersing nanoparticles in solvents, involving the use of a cationic species and an anionic species, where at least one of the ionic species is soluble in the nonpolar solvent and the other ionic species has a relatively strong affinity for the surface of the nanoparticles. The cationic species and the anionic species together form a cluster of ion pairs shielding the nanoparticles and enhancing their dispersibility in the nonpolar solvent.

Particles with suitable properties may be generated using systems and methods provided herein. The particles may include carbon particles.

The present invention provides a carbon material dispersion in which a carbon material is contained at a high concentration in a liquid medium containing an organic solvent but is unlikely to reaggregate and is stably dispersed, and from which various products, such as an ink capable of forming a coating film having excellent electric conductivity, can be formed. This carbon material dispersion contains a carbon material, an organic solvent, and a polymeric dispersant, wherein the polymeric dispersant is a polymer having 3 to 55% by mass of a constituent unit (1) represented by the following formula (1), wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or the like, A represents O or NH, B represents an ethylene group or the like, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each independently represent a methyl group or the like, Ar represents a phenyl group or the like, X represents a chlorine atom or the like, and p represents an arbitrary number of repeating units, and the polymeric dispersant has an amine value of 100 mgKOH/g or less and a number average molecular weight of 5,000 to 20,000.

##STR00001##

The present invention provides a carbon material dispersion in which a carbon material is contained at a high concentration in a liquid medium containing an organic solvent but is unlikely to reaggregate and is stably dispersed, and from which various products, such as an ink capable of forming a coating film having excellent electric conductivity, can be formed. This carbon material dispersion contains a carbon material, an organic solvent, and a polymeric dispersant, wherein the polymeric dispersant is a polymer having 3 to 55% by mass of a constituent unit (1) represented by the following formula (1), wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or the like, A represents O or NH, B represents an ethylene group or the like, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each independently represent a methyl group or the like, Ar represents a phenyl group or the like, X represents a chlorine atom or the like, and p represents an arbitrary number of repeating units, and the polymeric dispersant has an amine value of 100 mgKOH/g or less and a number average molecular weight of 5,000 to 20,000.

##STR00001##

Core particles produced in situ or introduced as preformed core particles are coated with a layer of carbon. Non-carbon as well as some carbon-based core materials can be utilized. The resulting carbon coated particles can find applications in rubber products, for instance as reinforcement for tire components.

Core particles produced in situ or introduced as preformed core particles are coated with a layer of carbon. Non-carbon as well as some carbon-based core materials can be utilized. The resulting carbon coated particles can find applications in rubber products, for instance as reinforcement for tire components.

The present invention relates to a carbon nanotube dispersion including carbon nanotubes, a polymer dispersant containing an amine, a phenolic compound including two or more aromatic rings, and an aqueous solvent, wherein the polymer dispersant and the phenolic compound including two or more aromatic rings are included in a weight ratio of 100:1 to 100:90, and having low viscosity and a small change of viscosity over time.

The present invention relates to a process for the processing and/or purification of carbon black comprising the steps of: a) providing carbon black containing impurities b) providing an aqueous fluid comprising a nitrogen hydride c) providing an alkali metal hydroxide and/or an alkali metal d) contacting the mixture of step a), the fluid of step b) and the alkali metal hydroxide and/or alkali metal of step c) e) subjecting the composition obtained in step d) to an elevated temperature in the range of 80 to 240° C. and an elevated pressure in the range of 5 to 50 bar f) separating a carbonaceous solid from the composition obtained in step e). The present invention further relates to the use of a nitrogen hydride as a dispersing agent for producing and/or stabilizing an aqueous suspension.