A method for constructing a solar rectenna array by growing carbon nanotube antennas between lines of metal, and subsequently applying a bias voltage on the carbon nanotube antennas to convert the diodes on the tips of the carbon nanotube antennas from metal oxide carbon diodes to geometric diodes. Techniques for preserving the converted diodes by adding additional oxide are also described.

A transparent electrode with a transparent substrate and a composite layer disposed thereon, wherein the composite layer includes a graphene layer and a plurality of nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles are embedded in the graphene layer and extend through a thickness of the graphene layer, and wherein the plurality of nanoparticles are in direct contact with the transparent substrate and a gap is present between the graphene layer and the transparent substrate.

A composite material comprising at least one polymer matrix. The polymer matrix comprises at least one inorganic load composed of a biphasic material that comprises at least one mesoporous substrate at least partially coated with carbon nanotubes. The composite material is remarkable in that the mesoporous substrate is composed of diatoms.

A method of producing a composite product is provided. The method includes providing a fluidized bed of metal oxide 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 metal oxide particles and carbon nanotubes.

The present invention relates to a process for producing a carbon nanotube-grafted substrate, the process comprising: providing a substrate having catalytic material deposited thereon; and synthesising carbon nanotubes on the substrate by a chemical vapour deposition process in a reaction chamber; characterised in that the process comprises providing a counter electrode, applying a potential difference to the substrate in relation to the counter electrode and maintaining the potential difference of the substrate in relation to the counter electrode during the chemical vapour deposition process.

The present disclosure is directed to methods for producing a single-walled carbon nanotube in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor. The methods comprise contacting liquid catalyst droplets and a carbon source in the reactor, and forming a single walled carbon nanotube at the surface of the liquid catalyst droplets.

Techniques and methods are disclosed for producing a plurality of nanoparticles that can be used as catalysts to grow carbon or boron nitride nanotubes. The method includes mixing an iron salt including a ferrous or ferric ion with a long chain amine, thiol or polyphenol in a solvent comprising alcohol to produce a solution. Ferric or ferrous ion is reduced to zero valence iron. Nucleation of iron nanoparticles is initialized. The iron nanoparticles are capped to retard nanoparticle growth. The nanoparticles include an elemental iron core coated with a polyphenol that isolates the core from oxygen. The nanoparticles include an average diameter of less than or equal to 15.8 nanometers. The iron core may further include a secondary metal to form an iron-alloy. The secondary metal, in some applications, can be a transition metal.

A method for making carbon nanotube film includes providing a growth substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. A catalyst layer is placed on the first surface. The growth substrate and the catalyst layer are placed in a reaction chamber. The carbon source gas and hydrogen are supplied into the reaction chamber at a growth temperature of a plurality of carbon nanotubes. An electric field is applied to the growth substrate, wherein an electric field direction of the electric field is from the first surface to the second surface. After the plurality of carbon nanotubes fly away from the growth substrate, the electric field is stopped applying to the growth substrate, and the carbon source gas and hydrogen are continually supplied into the reaction chamber.

Disclosed is a silicone rubber composition and a vulcanized product thereof, which show high levels of flexibility and electrical conductivity at the same time. The disclosed silicone rubber composition comprises a silicone rubber and fibrous carbon nanostructures including carbon nanotubes, wherein the fibrous carbon nanostructures exhibit a convex upward shape in a t-plot obtained from an adsorption isotherm. The disclosed vulcanized product is obtainable by vulcanization of the silicone rubber composition.

A gas delivery system and method for delivering reactants such as a first gas through a first conduit and a second gas through at least one second conduit, for example, through a plurality of second conduits. The plurality of second conduits may each have a length, wherein at least a portion of the length is entirely disposed within the first conduit. In an implementation, the first conduit may deliver carbon monoxide and the one or more second conduits may deliver carbon monoxide doped with a catalyst such as iron pentacarbonyl. The first and second gases may be introduced into a reaction vessel such as a reactor chamber and used to form carbon nanotubes.