Disclosed herein is a novel polymer having a structure based on a biodegradable polymer. In the novel polymer, the biodegradable polymer has at least one kind of functional groups from among a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group, wherein the biodegradable polymer bears a functional group conjugated with a nitric oxide-releasing compound and a different functional group substituted with a photopolymerizable functional group, the nitric oxide-releasing compound comprising a NO donor. Also provided is a nanofiber fabricated from the modified biodegradable polymer. The nanofiber can be fabricated by electrospinning the novel polymer.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing a carbon nanotube fiber. The apparatus includes: a vertical reactor having a reaction zone; a concentric double-pipe inlet tube disposed on top of the reaction zone and consisting of an inner pipe through which a spinning feedstock including a spinning solution and a first gas is introduced into the reaction zone and an outer pipe defining a concentric annular portion surrounding the inner pipe and through which a second gas is introduced into the reaction zone; heating means for heating the reaction zone; and a discharge unit disposed under the bottom of the reaction zone to discharge a carbon nanotube fiber therethrough. The spinning feedstock entering the reaction zone through the inner pipe of the inlet tube is carbonized and graphitized while flowing from the top to the bottom of the reaction zone to form a carbon nanotube fiber consisting of a continuous sock (or aggregates) of carbon nanotubes. The second gas entering the reaction zone through the outer pipe of the inlet tube forms a gas curtain surrounding the circumference of the continuous sock of carbon nanotubes while flowing from the top to the bottom of the reaction zone. The gas curtain minimizes the contamination of the inner wall of the reactor and facilitates the discharge of the carbon nanotube fiber. Therefore, the apparatus of the present invention is suitable for the production of a carbon nanotube fiber in a continuous manner.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing a carbon nanotube fiber. The apparatus includes: a vertical reactor having a reaction zone; a concentric double-pipe inlet tube disposed on top of the reaction zone and consisting of an inner pipe through which a spinning feedstock including a spinning solution and a first gas is introduced into the reaction zone and an outer pipe defining a concentric annular portion surrounding the inner pipe and through which a second gas is introduced into the reaction zone; heating means for heating the reaction zone; and a discharge unit disposed under the bottom of the reaction zone to discharge a carbon nanotube fiber therethrough. The spinning feedstock entering the reaction zone through the inner pipe of the inlet tube is carbonized and graphitized while flowing from the top to the bottom of the reaction zone to form a carbon nanotube fiber consisting of a continuous sock (or aggregates) of carbon nanotubes. The second gas entering the reaction zone through the outer pipe of the inlet tube forms a gas curtain surrounding the circumference of the continuous sock of carbon nanotubes while flowing from the top to the bottom of the reaction zone. The gas curtain minimizes the contamination of the inner wall of the reactor and facilitates the discharge of the carbon nanotube fiber. Therefore, the apparatus of the present invention is suitable for the production of a carbon nanotube fiber in a continuous manner.

Graphene has been used in nanocomposites as constituents/doping in plastics or epoxy providing dramatic enhancement of the mechanical properties but have not progressed past the laboratory level novelty. This invention can provide a graphene based composite structure with a density less that 1.9 g/cm.sup.3 for a fiber, yarn, rope or cable and a density less that 1.5 g/cm.sup.3 for a sheet both structure have tensile and shear strength greater than either Aluminum or Steel; thus providing a graphene material that is both much lighter and stronger.

A method of sulfurization of fluorine-containing carbon materials obtained by heating of carbon materials in contact with fluorocarbons or fluorine-containing derivatives thereof. Claimed method allows obtaining a wide range of fluorine-containing carbon materials with grafted sulfur functionalities. Claimed materials can be used in industry as novel acid-base catalysts with high stability in any aggressive medium. Another embodiment of the invention can be used for producing electrodes of metal-sulfide batteries or as a specific sorbent, metals or nanoparticles support.

A method of sulfurization of fluorine-containing carbon materials obtained by heating of carbon materials in contact with fluorocarbons or fluorine-containing derivatives thereof. Claimed method allows obtaining a wide range of fluorine-containing carbon materials with grafted sulfur functionalities. Claimed materials can be used in industry as novel acid-base catalysts with high stability in any aggressive medium. Another embodiment of the invention can be used for producing electrodes of metal-sulfide batteries or as a specific sorbent, metals or nanoparticles support.

A method for manufacturing metal oxide-grown carbon fibers including immersing carbon fibers in a solution for forming a metal oxide seed layer and electrodepositing a metal oxide seed on the surfaces of carbon fibers, or irradiating microwave thereto to form a metal oxide seed layer, and irradiating microwave to the metal oxide seed layer-formed carbon fibers to grow metal oxide. The method for manufacturing metal oxide-grown carbon fibers can reduce process time, and improve process energy efficiency and production efficiency. The method for manufacturing metal oxide-grown carbon fibers can offer metal oxide-grown carbon fibers with improved interfacial shear stress.

A method for manufacturing metal oxide-grown carbon fibers including immersing carbon fibers in a solution for forming a metal oxide seed layer and electrodepositing a metal oxide seed on the surfaces of carbon fibers, or irradiating microwave thereto to form a metal oxide seed layer, and irradiating microwave to the metal oxide seed layer-formed carbon fibers to grow metal oxide. The method for manufacturing metal oxide-grown carbon fibers can reduce process time, and improve process energy efficiency and production efficiency. The method for manufacturing metal oxide-grown carbon fibers can offer metal oxide-grown carbon fibers with improved interfacial shear stress.

A treated carbon fiber tensile cord for use in power transmission belts, hose, tires or other reinforced rubber products and the resulting product, which includes carbon fibers which are coated with a polymeric layer deposited and polymerized at atmospheric pressure in a plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition process. A suitable polymeric layer is compatible with the intended matrix which the cord will reinforce. For a rubber belt, the coating is compatible with the rubber composition of the belt body or an adhesion gum or adhesive such as RFL which surrounds the cord. For RFL/rubber systems and cast polyurethane elastomers, a suitable polymer is the APP reaction product of a vinyl carboxylic acid or an ester or amide thereof. Suitable carboxylic acids include acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. Various esters and amides of vinyl carboxylic acid are also suitable, such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, N-isobutoxymethyl acrylamide, and N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide.

A treated carbon fiber tensile cord for use in power transmission belts, hose, tires or other reinforced rubber products and the resulting product, which includes carbon fibers which are coated with a polymeric layer deposited and polymerized at atmospheric pressure in a plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition process. A suitable polymeric layer is compatible with the intended matrix which the cord will reinforce. For a rubber belt, the coating is compatible with the rubber composition of the belt body or an adhesion gum or adhesive such as RFL which surrounds the cord. For RFL/rubber systems and cast polyurethane elastomers, a suitable polymer is the APP reaction product of a vinyl carboxylic acid or an ester or amide thereof. Suitable carboxylic acids include acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. Various esters and amides of vinyl carboxylic acid are also suitable, such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, N-isobutoxymethyl acrylamide, and N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide.