A nuclear fuel element for use in a nuclear reactor may include a plurality of metal fuel sheaths extending along a longitudinal fuel element axis and spaced apart from each other, the plurality of fuel sheaths comprising a first fuel sheath having an inner surface, an opposing outer surface and a hollow interior configured to receive nuclear fuel material. A carbon coating may be on the inner surface of the first fuel sheath. The carbon coating may include more than 99.0% wt of a carbon material including more than 20% wt of carbon nanotubes and less than about 0.01% wt of organic contaminants.

Methods for making porous nanotube fabrics are disclosed. Within the methods of the present disclosure, a porogen-loaded nanotube application solution is formed by combining a first volume of nanotube elements with a second volume of fuel material in a liquid medium to form a porogen-loaded nanotube application solution. In some aspects of the present disclosure, a third volume of oxidizer material is also combined into the liquid medium. A porogen-loaded nanotube fabric is formed by depositing the porogen-loaded nanotube application solution. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the fuel material within the porogen-loaded nanotube application solution will react with oxidizer material when heat is applied to a sufficient degree and volatize. The off-gassed fuel material will then leave behind voids in the nanotube fabric, rendering the fabric porous.

Methods for making porous nanotube fabrics are disclosed. Within the methods of the present disclosure, a porogen-loaded nanotube application solution is formed by combining a first volume of nanotube elements with a second volume of fuel material in a liquid medium to form a porogen-loaded nanotube application solution. In some aspects of the present disclosure, a third volume of oxidizer material is also combined into the liquid medium. A porogen-loaded nanotube fabric is formed by depositing the porogen-loaded nanotube application solution. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the fuel material within the porogen-loaded nanotube application solution will react with oxidizer material when heat is applied to a sufficient degree and volatize. The off-gassed fuel material will then leave behind voids in the nanotube fabric, rendering the fabric porous.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods and systems for providing an electrolysis reaction in a molten carbonate electrolyte to synthesize helical carbon nanostructures (HCNSs). The electrolyte, electrode composition, current density, temperature and additives all may have important roles in the formation of HCNS. With control of these parameters, a variety of specific, uniform high yield HCNS can be synthesized by molten carbonate electrolysis, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to processes and apparatus for carbon nanotube formation, and more specifically, to processes and apparatus for carbon nanotube alignment. In an embodiment, a process for aligning carbon nanotubes is provided. The process includes introducing an aqueous solution to a pressure-controlled system that includes a silanated glass element, a porous membrane, and a container. The process further includes applying a pressure differential across the porous membrane to draw the aqueous solution from the silanated glass element, through the porous membrane, and to the container at a flow rate to form a filtrate disposed within the container and a retentate disposed above the porous membrane, the retentate comprising carbon nanotubes. The process further includes optically detecting a position of a meniscus of the aqueous solution in the silanated glass element. Apparatus for forming and aligning carbon nanotubes are also disclosed.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to processes and apparatus for carbon nanotube formation, and more specifically, to processes and apparatus for carbon nanotube alignment. In an embodiment, a process for aligning carbon nanotubes is provided. The process includes introducing an aqueous solution to a pressure-controlled system that includes a silanated glass element, a porous membrane, and a container. The process further includes applying a pressure differential across the porous membrane to draw the aqueous solution from the silanated glass element, through the porous membrane, and to the container at a flow rate to form a filtrate disposed within the container and a retentate disposed above the porous membrane, the retentate comprising carbon nanotubes. The process further includes optically detecting a position of a meniscus of the aqueous solution in the silanated glass element. Apparatus for forming and aligning carbon nanotubes are also disclosed.

Provided are multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) decorated with nanospheres of carbon, methods of preparing multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) decorated with nanospheres of carbon, and uses thereof.

Provided are multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) decorated with nanospheres of carbon, methods of preparing multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) decorated with nanospheres of carbon, and uses thereof.

A method of producing a composite product is provided. The method includes providing a fluidized bed of carbon-based particles in a fluidized bed reactor, providing a catalyst or catalyst precursor in the fluidized bed reactor, providing a carbon source in the fluidized bed reactor for growing carbon nanotubes, growing carbon nanotubes in a carbon nanotube growth zone of the fluidized bed reactor, and collecting a composite product comprising carbon-based particles and carbon nanotubes.

A method of producing a composite product is provided. The method includes providing a fluidized bed of carbon-based particles in a fluidized bed reactor, providing a catalyst or catalyst precursor in the fluidized bed reactor, providing a carbon source in the fluidized bed reactor for growing carbon nanotubes, growing carbon nanotubes in a carbon nanotube growth zone of the fluidized bed reactor, and collecting a composite product comprising carbon-based particles and carbon nanotubes.