Hybrid materials and methods for producing the same
View Patent ↗A hybrid material is provided which comprises a first single-walled nanotube having a lumen, and a fill molecule contained within the lumen of the single-walled nanotube. A method for producing the hybrid material is also provided wherein a single-walled nanotube is contacted with a fill molecule to cause the fill molecule to enter the lumen of the single-walled nanotube.
1. A method for producing a hybrid material comprising
providing a precursor material comprising at least one single-walled nanotube having a lumen in contact with at least one fill molecule by means of a solution or vapor transport and
annealing at least one single-walled nanotube in the presence of the fill molecule to provide said hybrid material.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the annealing step comprises annealing the single-walled nanotube at a temperature below about 1000° C.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the annealing step comprises annealing the single-walled nanotube at a temperature below about 800° C.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the annealing step comprises annealing the single-walled nanotube at a temperature below about 600° C.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the annealing step comprises annealing the single-walled nanotube at a temperature above about 300° C.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the annealing step comprises annealing the single-walled nanotube in a vacuum.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the annealing step comprises annealing the single-walled nanotube in an inert environment.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the annealing step comprises annealing the single-walled nanotube in a non-oxidizing environment.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the annealing step comprises annealing the single-walled nanotube in air.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the annealing step comprises annealing the single-walled nanotube for a time from about 1 hour to about 24 hours.
11. The method of claim 10 comprising the step of treating the single-walled nanotube with an acid prior to the annealing step.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein fill molecules penetrate the walls of said nanotubes.