Methods and apparatuses for making nanomaterials are disclosed. The methods involve passing one or more source materials through a high pressure and high temperature chamber with an open throat, and then allowing the reactants to expand into a lower pressure, lower temperature zone. The source material is non-stoichiometric and fuel-rich so that excess un-combusted primary source material can form the nanomaterials. In some cases, the apparatus may be in the form of a modified rocket engine. The methods may be used to make various materials including: carbon nanotubes, boron nitride nanomaterials, titanium dioxide, and any materials that are currently produced by flame synthesis, including but not limited to electrocatalysts. The methods may also be used to make nanomaterials outside the Earth's atmosphere. The methods can include making, coating, or repairing structures in space, such as antennae.

Methods and apparatuses for making nanomaterials are disclosed. The methods involve passing one or more source materials through a high pressure and high temperature chamber with an open throat, and then allowing the reactants to expand into a lower pressure, lower temperature zone. The source material is non-stoichiometric and fuel-rich so that excess un-combusted primary source material can form the nanomaterials. In some cases, the apparatus may be in the form of a modified rocket engine. The methods may be used to make various materials including: carbon nanotubes, boron nitride nanomaterials, titanium dioxide, and any materials that are currently produced by flame synthesis, including but not limited to electrocatalysts. The methods may also be used to make nanomaterials outside the Earth's atmosphere. The methods can include making, coating, or repairing structures in space, such as antennae.

The present invention relates to the production of a carbon material (eg a carbon nanomaterial) comprising single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and to the carbon material per se.

The present invention relates to the production of a carbon material (eg a carbon nanomaterial) comprising single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and to the carbon material per se.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for fabrication of large diameter single-walled carbon nanotube films. Advantageously, large diameter single-walled carbon nanotube films may be useful as transparent electrodes with high transparency and lower sheet resistance. In one embodiment, the method includes supplying carrier carbon monoxide and catalyst precursor through a first inlet at a temperature below the reaction temperature of the catalyst precursor; supplying heated carbon monoxide through a second inlet such that the heated carbon monoxide mixes with the carrier carbon monoxide and the catalyst an aerosol; reacting the aerosol in a reaction chamber to form a composite aerosol of single walled carbon nanotubes, metal nanoparticles, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. In this embodiment, the heated carbon monoxide heats the catalyst precursor which reacts with the carbon monoxide to form carbon nanotubes.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for fabrication of large diameter single-walled carbon nanotube films. Advantageously, large diameter single-walled carbon nanotube films may be useful as transparent electrodes with high transparency and lower sheet resistance. In one embodiment, the method includes supplying carrier carbon monoxide and catalyst precursor through a first inlet at a temperature below the reaction temperature of the catalyst precursor; supplying heated carbon monoxide through a second inlet such that the heated carbon monoxide mixes with the carrier carbon monoxide and the catalyst an aerosol; reacting the aerosol in a reaction chamber to form a composite aerosol of single walled carbon nanotubes, metal nanoparticles, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. In this embodiment, the heated carbon monoxide heats the catalyst precursor which reacts with the carbon monoxide to form carbon nanotubes.

A method for preparing carbon nanotubes, nanofibres or nanofilaments by decomposition of at least one carbon precursor in the presence of a catalyst, in which method continuously:—a first gas stream comprising a precursor of a catalyst is brought into contact with a porous substrate (43);—a second gas stream comprising at least one carbon precursor is brought into contact with said porous substrate (43);—said porous substrate (43) is heated to a temperature leading to the deposition of catalyst particles and to the catalytic growth of carbon nanotubes.

A method for preparing carbon nanotubes, nanofibres or nanofilaments by decomposition of at least one carbon precursor in the presence of a catalyst, in which method continuously:—a first gas stream comprising a precursor of a catalyst is brought into contact with a porous substrate (43);—a second gas stream comprising at least one carbon precursor is brought into contact with said porous substrate (43);—said porous substrate (43) is heated to a temperature leading to the deposition of catalyst particles and to the catalytic growth of carbon nanotubes.

Provided is a method for highly efficiently producing highly pure single-walled carbon nanotubes. This method for producing carbon nanotubes by fluidized CVD includes: a step for heating a material (A) to 1200° C. or higher, in which the total mass of Al.sub.2O.sub.3 and SiO.sub.2 constitutes at least 90% of the total mass of the material (A) and the mass ratio of Al.sub.2O.sub.3/SiO.sub.2 is in the range of 1.0-2.3; and a step for bringing a gas, which is present in the environment in which the material (A) is being heated to 1200° C. or higher, into contact with a feed gas to generate carbon nanotubes.

Provided is a method for highly efficiently producing highly pure single-walled carbon nanotubes. This method for producing carbon nanotubes by fluidized CVD includes: a step for heating a material (A) to 1200° C. or higher, in which the total mass of Al.sub.2O.sub.3 and SiO.sub.2 constitutes at least 90% of the total mass of the material (A) and the mass ratio of Al.sub.2O.sub.3/SiO.sub.2 is in the range of 1.0-2.3; and a step for bringing a gas, which is present in the environment in which the material (A) is being heated to 1200° C. or higher, into contact with a feed gas to generate carbon nanotubes.