Provided are carbon nanotubes that allow effective utilization of the insides thereof as-synthesized, without undergoing opening formation treatment. The provided carbon nanotubes have not undergone opening formation treatment and exhibit a convex upward shape in a t-plot obtained from an adsorption isotherm.

Methods and apparatus to generate carbon nanostructures from organic materials are described. Certain embodiments provide solid waste materials into a furnace, that pyrolyzes the solid waste materials into gaseous decomposition products, which are then converted to carbon nanostructures. Methods and apparatuses described herein provide numerous advantages over conventional methods, such as cost savings, reduction of handling risks, optimization of process conditions, and the like.

Provided is a structure for forming carbon nanofiber, including a base material containing an oxygen ion-conductive oxide, and a metal catalyst that is provided on one surface side of the base material.

This present invention relates to oxidized, discrete carbon nanotubes in dispersions, especially for use in printing inks. The dispersions can include materials such as elastomers, thermosets and thermoplastics or aqueous dispersions of open-ended carbon nanotubes with additives. A further feature of this invention relates to the development of a dispersion of oxidized, discrete carbon nanotubes that are electrically conductive.

A carbon nanotube aggregate includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes, a metal compound added to inside and/or outside of each of the carbon nanotubes, and an oxide film that is made of an oxide of the metal compound, and covers an outer periphery of the plurality of carbon nanotubes to define an outer surface of the carbon nanotube aggregate. Since the metal compound is shielded from the atmosphere by the oxide film, separation of the metal compound and reaction of the metal compound with oxygen or water in the atmosphere are suppressed, increasing heat resistance of the carbon nanotube aggregate.

A method for manufacturing a carbon nanotube needle is provided. A carbon nanotube film comprising of a plurality of commonly aligned carbon nanotubes, a first electrode, and a second electrode are provided. The carbon nanotube film is fixed to the first electrode and the second electrode. An organic solvent is applied to treat the carbon nanotube film to form at least one carbon nanotube string. A voltage is applied to the carbon nanotube string until the carbon nanotube string snaps.

Generally, the present invention provides methods for the production of materials comprising a plurality of nanostructures such as nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes) and related articles. The plurality of nanostructures may be provided such that their long axes are substantially aligned and, in some cases, continuous from end to end of the sample. For example, in some cases, the nanostructures may be fabricated by uniformly growing the nanostructures on the surface of a substrate, such that the long axes are aligned and non-parallel to the substrate surface. The nanostructures may be, in some instances, substantially perpendicular to the substrate surface. In one set of embodiments, a force with a component normal to the long axes of the nanostructures may be applied to the substantially aligned nanostructures. The application of a force may result in a material comprising a relatively high volume fraction or mass density of nanostructures. In some instances, the application of a force may result in a material comprising relatively closely-spaced nanostructures. The materials described herein may be further processed for use in various applications, such as composite materials (e.g., nanocomposites). For example, a set of aligned nanostructures may be formed, and, after the application of a force, transferred, either in bulk or to another surface, and combined with another material (e.g., to form a nanocomposite) to enhance the properties of the material.

The present invention provides: a film that comprises single-layer carbon nanotubes having shapes which enable the characteristics thereof to be sufficiently exhibited; and a process for producing the film. The film, which comprises single-layer carbon nanotubes, has portions where single-layer carbon nanotubes are densely present and portions where single-layer carbon nanotubes are sparsely present, the dense portions forming a pseudo-honeycomb structure in a surface of the film.

A low carbon footprint material is used to decrease the carbon dioxide emission for production of a high carbon footprint substance. A method of forming composite materials comprises providing a first high carbon footprint substance; providing a carbon nanomaterial produced with a carbon-footprint of less than 10 unit weight of carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) emission during production of 1 unit weight of the carbon nanomaterial; and forming a composite comprising the high carbon footprint substance and from 0.001 wt % to 25 wt % of the carbon nanomaterial, wherein the carbon nanomaterial is homogeneously dispersed in the composite to reduce the carbon dioxide emission for producing the composite material relative to the high carbon footprint substance.

There is provided a pH responsive optical nanoprobe comprising metallic SWCNTs or graphene coated with a transition metal M. The coated metallic SWCNTs or graphene have an absorption spectrum comprising an optical resonance, and have a Raman scattering spectrum responsive to optical excitation at said optical resonance comprising at least one pH-dependent peak having at least one of a Raman shift value and an intensity that is function of a solution pH, when the nanoprobe is in contact with a solution at said solution pH. There is also provided a method to measure the pH of a solution, by contacting the solution with the nanoprobe; illuminating the nanoprobe with an excitation light beam having a wavelength at said optical resonance, thereby generating a Raman signal from the nanoprobe according to said Raman scattering spectrum; measuring a spectral distribution of the Raman signal; and determining the pH of the solution from the spectral distribution.