Carbon nanotubes and dispersions containing carbon nanotubes are provided. Methods of processing carbon nanotubes and dispersions containing purified carbon nanotubes are provided.

The present invention relates to removal of catalytic metals from carbon nanomaterials bearing catalytic metals up to 15 wt % using an environmentally benign, non-mineral acid-based reagent solution. The reagent solution comprises a solid reagent selected from sodium persulphate or potassium persulphate or ammonium persulphate, wherein the solid reagent is dissolved in deionized water. The reagent solution enables removal of the metals present in the carbon nanomaterials without perturbing the structural integrity of carbon nanomaterials. The purification methodology disclosed in the present invention is suitable to use in energy storage, composite polymers, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials, conductive inks, conductive paints, field emission transistors, etc.

The present invention relates to removal of catalytic metals from carbon nanomaterials bearing catalytic metals up to 15 wt % using an environmentally benign, non-mineral acid-based reagent solution. The reagent solution comprises a solid reagent selected from sodium persulphate or potassium persulphate or ammonium persulphate, wherein the solid reagent is dissolved in deionized water. The reagent solution enables removal of the metals present in the carbon nanomaterials without perturbing the structural integrity of carbon nanomaterials. The purification methodology disclosed in the present invention is suitable to use in energy storage, composite polymers, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials, conductive inks, conductive paints, field emission transistors, etc.

A process for the separation of electrolyte from the carbon in a solid carbon/electrolyte cathode product formed at the cathode during molten carbonate electrolysis. The processes allow for easy separation of the solid carbon product from the electrolyte without any observed detrimental effect on the structure and/or stability of the resulting solid carbon nanomaterial.

The present invention relates to a scanning probe microscope. The scanning probe microscope can be configured to remove a polymeric material from a surface of a nanostructure. The scanning probe microscope includes a metal coated probe tip and a voltage source. The voltage source can be configured to apply a bias voltage between the probe tip and a sample. The bias voltage can be between 0.5 V and 2 V. The scanning probe microscope further includes a sample positioner configured to position the sample in relation to the probe tip and a system controller configured to control the scanning probe microscope.

The present invention relates to a scanning probe microscope. The scanning probe microscope can be configured to remove a polymeric material from a surface of a nanostructure. The scanning probe microscope includes a metal coated probe tip and a voltage source. The voltage source can be configured to apply a bias voltage between the probe tip and a sample. The bias voltage can be between 0.5 V and 2 V. The scanning probe microscope further includes a sample positioner configured to position the sample in relation to the probe tip and a system controller configured to control the scanning probe microscope.

The present disclosure provides a nanotube solution being treated with a molecular additive, a nanotube film having enhanced adhesion property due to the treatment of the molecular additive, and methods for forming the nanotube solution and the nanotube film. The nanotube solution includes a liquid medium, nanotubes in the liquid medium, and a molecular additive in the liquid medium, wherein the molecular additive includes molecules that provide source elements for forming a group IV oxide within the nanotube solution. The molecular additive can introduce silicon (Si) and/or germanium (Ge) in the liquid medium, such that nominal silicon and/or germanium concentrations of the nanotube solution ranges from about 5 ppm to about 60 ppm.

The present disclosure provides a nanotube solution being treated with a molecular additive, a nanotube film having enhanced adhesion property due to the treatment of the molecular additive, and methods for forming the nanotube solution and the nanotube film. The nanotube solution includes a liquid medium, nanotubes in the liquid medium, and a molecular additive in the liquid medium, wherein the molecular additive includes molecules that provide source elements for forming a group IV oxide within the nanotube solution. The molecular additive can introduce silicon (Si) and/or germanium (Ge) in the liquid medium, such that nominal silicon and/or germanium concentrations of the nanotube solution ranges from about 5 ppm to about 60 ppm.

The present invention proposes a process for purifying raw carbon nanotubes to obtain an content in metallic impurities comprised between 5 ppm and 200 ppm. The process includes an increase in the bulk density of the raw carbon nanotubes via compacting to produce compacted carbon nanotubes. The process further includes sintering the compacted carbon nanotubes by undergoing thermal treatment under gaseous atmosphere in order to remove at least a portion of the metallic impurities contained in the raw carbon nanotubes, and consequently producing purified carbon nanotubes. These purified carbon nanotubes are directly usable as electronic conductors serving as basis additive to an electrode material without requiring any subsequent purification step. The electrode material can then be used to manufacture an electrode destined to a lithium-ion battery.

The present invention proposes a process for purifying raw carbon nanotubes to obtain an content in metallic impurities comprised between 5 ppm and 200 ppm. The process includes an increase in the bulk density of the raw carbon nanotubes via compacting to produce compacted carbon nanotubes. The process further includes sintering the compacted carbon nanotubes by undergoing thermal treatment under gaseous atmosphere in order to remove at least a portion of the metallic impurities contained in the raw carbon nanotubes, and consequently producing purified carbon nanotubes. These purified carbon nanotubes are directly usable as electronic conductors serving as basis additive to an electrode material without requiring any subsequent purification step. The electrode material can then be used to manufacture an electrode destined to a lithium-ion battery.