Electrolysis: processes – compositions used therein – and methods – Electrolytic coating – Coating contains embedded solid material
Reexamination Certificate
2002-04-09
2004-07-06
Nicolas, Wesley A. (Department: 1742)
Electrolysis: processes, compositions used therein, and methods
Electrolytic coating
Coating contains embedded solid material
C205S157000, C205S234000, C205S235000, C205S316000, C205S317000, C205S413000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06758957
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
Currently, carbon nanoparticles including both nanotubes and nanofilaments are found in extended commercial applications in modern technologies, for example, for the manufacture of composite materials, nanoscale machines, flat-panel displays, and computer memory devices. The wide application of carbon nanotubes is based on their unique physical and mechanical properties, which show the high electrical and thermal conductivity, and high strength values along the nanotubes' axis. In the direction perpendicular to the fiber axis, these values are very low.
Carbon nanotubes are oftentimes produced by vapor phase deposition on particles of transition metals such as Fe, NJ, and Co in chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor(see U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,227 by Mancevski wherein the metal catalysts decompose the hydrocarbides and aid in the deposition of the ordered carbon), by electrochemical deposition of the catalyst followed by CVD at high temperatures (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,901 by Moskovits et al), by catalytic plasma enhanced CVD, or by a carbon arc-discharge process.
In recent years, more and more attention is being paid to the electrochemical deposition technique for the manufacture of electronic devices because the electrochemical deposition method is simple, low in capital equipment cost, and can be easily scaled to large scale production.
It would be very important to develop a low temperature, simple process capable of substantial production of nanotubes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The first objective of the present invention is to provide carbon nanotubes from a liquid phase.
The second objective of the present invention is to provide carbon nanotubes at a reduced cost.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide carbon nanotubes on an enlarged scale of production.
A preferred embodiment of the invention is the preparation of carbon nanotubes comprising the steps of: providing an electrochemical bath of an organic solution of methanol and benzyl alcohol disposed between and in contact with silicon wafers coated with iron and nickel particles as electrodes; imposing a direct current potential of approximately 1000 volts between said electrodes; and providing a current density of approximately 12 milliamps per square centimeter between said electrodes for a time sufficient that carbon nanotubes of up to approximately 50 &mgr;m are developed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4472533 (1984-09-01), Moskovitis
patent: 5690807 (1997-11-01), Clark et al.
patent: 5693207 (1997-12-01), Fromson
patent: 5973444 (1999-10-01), Xu et al.
patent: 6129901 (2000-10-01), Moskovitis et al.
patent: 6146227 (2000-11-01), Mancevski
patent: 6361660 (2002-03-01), Goldstein
patent: 2002/0150684 (2002-10-01), Jayatissa
patent: 2002/0172869 (2002-11-01), Kudo et al.
Chow Lee
Zhou Dan
Law Offices of Brian S. Steinberger , P.A.
Nicolas Wesley A.
Steinberger Brian S.
University of Central Florida
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