A solar cell structure is disclosed that includes a first metal layer, formed over predefined portions of a sun-exposed major surface of a semiconductor structure, that form electrical gridlines of the solar cell; a network of carbon nanotubes formed over the first metal layer; and a second metal layer formed onto the network of carbon nanotubes, wherein the second metal layer infiltrates the network of carbon nanotubes to connect with the first metal layer to form a first metal matrix composite comprising a metal matrix and a carbon nanotube reinforcement, wherein the second metal layer is an electrically conductive layer in which the carbon nanotube reinforcement is embedded in and bonded to the metal matrix, and the first metal matrix composite provides enhanced mechanical support as well as enhanced or equal electrical conductivity for the electrical contacts against applied mechanical stressors to the electrical contacts.

Provided is a positive electrode material slurry for secondary battery including a positive electrode active material, a conductive agent, a binder, and a solvent, wherein the conductive agent includes a first conductive agent and a second conductive agent having different particle shapes and sizes.

Since the conductive agent of the present invention may be uniformly dispersed in the positive electrode active material by including a point-type conductive agent, as the first conductive agent, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) subjected to a grinding process as the linear second conductive agent, conductivity of an electrode to be prepared may be improved and a secondary battery having improved high-rate discharge capacity characteristics may be provided.

A method of forming a carbon nanotube array substrate is disclosed. One embodiment comprises depositing a composite catalyst layer on the substrate, oxidizing the composite catalyst layer, reducing the oxidized composite catalyst layer, and growing the array on the composite catalyst layer. The composite catalyst layer may comprise a group VIII element and a non-catalytic element deposited onto the substrate from an alloy. In another embodiment, the composite catalyst layer comprises alternating layers of iron and a lanthanide, preferably gadolinium or lanthanum. The composite catalyst layer may be reused to grow multiple carbon nanotube arrays without additional processing of the substrate. The method may comprise bulk synthesis by forming carbon nanotubes on a plurality of particulate substrates having a composite catalyst layer comprising the group VIII element and the non-catalytic element. In another embodiment, the composite catalyst layer is deposited on both sides of the substrate.

The disclosure generally relates to a dispersion of nanoparticles in a liquid medium. The liquid medium is suitably water-based and further includes an ionic liquid-based stabilizer in the liquid medium to stabilize the dispersion of nanoparticles therein. The stabilizer can be polymeric or monomeric and generally includes a moiety with at least one quaternary ammonium cation from a corresponding ionic liquid. The dispersion suitably can be formed by shearing or otherwise mixing a mixture/combination of its components. The dispersions can be used to form nanoparticle composite films upon drying or otherwise removing the liquid medium carrier, with the stabilizer providing a nanoparticle binder in the composite film. The films can be formed on essentially any desired substrate and can impart improved electrical conductivity and/or thermal conductivity properties to the substrate.

A carbon nanotube aggregate according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes, in which: the carbon nanotubes each have a plurality of walls; a distribution width of a wall number distribution of the carbon nanotubes is 10 walls or more; a relative frequency of a mode of the wall number distribution is 25% or less; and a length of each of the carbon nanotubes is more than 10 μm. A carbon nanotube aggregate according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes, in which: the carbon nanotubes each have a plurality of walls; a mode of a wall number distribution of the carbon nanotubes is present at a wall number of 10 or less; a relative frequency of the mode is 30% or more; and a length of each of the carbon nanotubes is more than 10 μm.

Discrete, individualized carbon nanotubes having targeted, or selective, oxidation levels and/or content on the interior and exterior of the tube walls are claimed. Such carbon nanotubes can have little to no inner tube surface oxidation, or differing amounts and/or types of oxidation between the tubes' inner and outer surfaces. These new discrete carbon nanotubes are useful in plasticizers, which can then be used as an additive in compounding and formulation of elastomeric, thermoplastic and thermoset composite for improvement of mechanical, electrical and thermal properties.

An electroconductive resin composite includes an impact modifier domains and an electroconductive fillers dispersed therein. The domains are dispersed in a matrix in the form of a domain having an average particle size of 5 μm or less. The electroconductive fillers are dispersed in the matrix or at an interface between the matrix and the domains to form a network.

An electroconductive resin composition and a molded product thereof. The electroconductive resin includes 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic polymer resin; 0.5 to 5 parts by weight of a carbon nanotube aggregate formed of a plurality of carbon nanotubes having an average outer diameter of 8 to 50 nm and an average inner diameter that is 40% or more of the average outer diameter; and 5 to 15 parts by weight of carbon black.

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor package including coating a flux on a connection pad provided on a first surface of a substrate, the flux including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), placing a solder ball on the connection pad coated with the flux, forming a solder layer attached to the connection pad from the solder ball through a reflow process, and mounting a semiconductor chip on the substrate such that the solder layer faces a connection pad in the semiconductor chip may be provided.

The invention relates to a method of functionalizing surfaces of carbon nanomaterials using oxygen in the air. The method is clean and eco-friendly with virtually zero chemical usage and zero waste generation. The dispersion of the surface-functionalized carbon nanomaterials is excellent in organic solvents.