A method for producing a carbon nanostructure according to an aspect of the present invention is a method in which a carbon nanostructure is produced between a base body and a separable body while the separable body is relatively moved away from the base body, the base body including a carburizable metal that is a principal constituent, the separable body including a carburizable metal that is a principal constituent, the separable body being joined to or in contact with the base body in a linear or strip-like shape. The method includes a carburizing gas feed step, an oxidizing gas feed step, a heating step in which the portion of the base body at which the base body and the separable body are joined to or in contact with each other is heated, and a separation step in which the separable body is relatively moved away from the base body.

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.

Placement of nanofibers and yarns comprised of nanofibers onto a substrate are described. The nanofiber yarns are difficult to manipulate with precision given that the diameters can be as little as 5 microns or even less than one micron. As described herein, a placement system is described that can place nanofiber yarns on a substrate at pitches less than 100 μm, less than 50 μm, less than 10 μm, and in some embodiments as low as 2 μm. In part, this precise placement at small pitches is facilitated by the use of coarse and fine adjustment translators, and a guide connected to a compliant flange. The compliant flange and the guide facilitate consistency of location of a nanofiber yarn.

The present invention provides methods for uniform growth of nanostructures such as nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes) on the surface of a substrate, wherein the long axes of the nanostructures may be substantially aligned. The nanostructures may be further processed for use in various applications, such as composite materials. For example, a set of aligned nanostructures may be formed and transferred, either in bulk or to another surface, to another material to enhance the properties of the material. In some cases, the nanostructures may enhance the mechanical properties of a material, for example, providing mechanical reinforcement at an interface between two materials or plies. In some cases, the nanostructures may enhance thermal and/or electronic properties of a material. The present invention also provides systems and methods for growth of nanostructures, including batch processes and continuous processes.

The present invention provides methods for uniform growth of nanostructures such as nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes) on the surface of a substrate, wherein the long axes of the nanostructures may be substantially aligned. The nanostructures may be further processed for use in various applications, such as composite materials. For example, a set of aligned nanostructures may be formed and transferred, either in bulk or to another surface, to another material to enhance the properties of the material. In some cases, the nanostructures may enhance the mechanical properties of a material, for example, providing mechanical reinforcement at an interface between two materials or plies. In some cases, the nanostructures may enhance thermal and/or electronic properties of a material. The present invention also provides systems and methods for growth of nanostructures, including batch processes and continuous processes.

A carbon nanotube array constituted by large numbers of carbon nanotubes vertically aligned on a substrate is produced by supplying a carbon source gas into a reaction vessel having a hydrogen gas atmosphere, in which a substrate on which a reaction catalyst comprising fine metal particles is formed is placed; forming large numbers of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes on the substrate by keeping a reaction temperature of 500-1100° C. for 0.5-30 minutes; and heat-treating the carbon nanotubes by stopping the supply of the carbon source gas and keeping 400-1100° C. for 0.5-180 minutes in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

A carbon nanotube array constituted by large numbers of carbon nanotubes vertically aligned on a substrate is produced by supplying a carbon source gas into a reaction vessel having a hydrogen gas atmosphere, in which a substrate on which a reaction catalyst comprising fine metal particles is formed is placed; forming large numbers of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes on the substrate by keeping a reaction temperature of 500-1100° C. for 0.5-30 minutes; and heat-treating the carbon nanotubes by stopping the supply of the carbon source gas and keeping 400-1100° C. for 0.5-180 minutes in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

Systems comprising a carbon fiber reactor for fabricating carbon fiber, the reactor comprising a receptacle for containing a carbon-metal melt, and a plurality of nozzles through which a plurality of menisci are formed by the carbon-metal melt for contact with a carbon seed to fabricate the carbon fiber; and a heater for heating the carbon-metal melt.

Carbon-based composite materials are provided, such as those comprising at least 80 weight % of graphitic carbon comprising functional groups capable of forming hydrogen bonds, the graphitic carbon in the form of a mat of randomly entangled elongated structures; not more than 20 weight % of a polymer or a nanofiber thereof, dispersed within the graphitic carbon, the polymer or the nanofiber thereof comprising corresponding functional groups capable of forming hydrogen bonds with the functional groups of the graphitic carbon; and a plurality of hydrogen bonds at an interface formed between the graphitic carbon and the polymer or the nanofiber thereof, the plurality of hydrogen bonds formed between the functional groups of the graphitic carbon and the corresponding functional groups of the polymer or the nanofiber thereof.