Applicator liquid containing ethyl lactate for preparation of nanotube films
View Patent ↗Certain applicator liquids and application techniques are described, which can be used to form nanotube films or fabrics of controlled properties. An applicator liquid for preparation of a nanotube film or fabric includes a controlled concentration of nanotubes dispersed in ethyl lactate. The controlled concentration is sufficient to form a nanotube fabric or film of preselected density and uniformity.
1. An applicator liquid for preparation of a nanotube film or fabric, comprising a controlled concentration of nanotubes dispersed in ethyl lactate, wherein the controlled concentration is sufficient to form a nanotube fabric or film of preselected density and uniformity and the applicator liquid is free of polymer and particle impurities having a diameter of greater than about 500 nm, and the applicator liquid comprises less than 1×10 18 atoms/cm 3 of metal impurities.
2. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the nanotubes are at a concentration of greater than 1 mg/L.
3. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the nanotubes are at a concentration of greater than 100 mg/L.
4. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the nanotubes are at a concentration of greater than 1000 mg/L.
5. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the nanotubes are homogeneously distributed in ethyl lactate without precipitation or flocculation.
6. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the applicator liquid is free of particle impurities having a diameter of greater than about 100 nm.
7. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the particle impurities comprise carbonaceous particles.
8. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises less than 15×10 10 atoms/cm 3 of metal impurities.
9. An applicator liquid for preparation of a nanotube film, comprising a distribution of nanotubes in ethyl lactate, wherein the nanotubes remain separate from one another without precipitation or flocculation for a time sufficient to apply the applicator liquid to a surface and the applicator liquid is free of polymer and particle impurities having a diameter greater than about 500 nm, and the applicator liquid comprises less than 1×10 18 atoms/cm 3 of metal impurities.
10. The applicator liquid of claim 9 , wherein the nanotubes are at a concentration of greater than 1 mg/L.
11. The applicator liquid of claim 9 , wherein the nanotubes are at a concentration of greater than 10 mg/L.
12. The applicator liquid of claim 9 , wherein the nanotubes are at a concentration of greater than 100 mg/L.
13. The applicator liquid of claim 9 , wherein the nanotubes remain separate from one another for at least one hour.
14. The applicator liquid of claim 9 , wherein the nanotubes remain separate from one another for at least 24 hours.
15. The applicator liquid of claim 9 , wherein the nanotubes remain separate from one another for at least one week.
16. The applicator liquid of claim 9 , wherein the applicator liquid is free of particle impurities having a diameter greater than about 100 nm.
17. The applicator liquid of claim 9 , wherein the liquid comprises less than 15×10 10 atoms/cm 3 of metal impurities.
18. A nanotube composition comprising a plurality of nanotubes in ethyl lactate medium, wherein the nanotubes are separate from one another and homogeneously distributed throughout the ethyl lactate medium and the applicator liquid is free of polymer and particle impurities having a diameter greater than about 500 nm, and the nanotube composition comprises less than 1×10 18 atoms/cm 3 of metal impurities.
19. The nanotube composition of claim 18 , wherein the nanotubes remain distributed without precipitation or flocculation.
20. The nanotube composition of claim 18 , wherein the nanotubes are at a concentration of greater than 1 mg/L.
21. The nanotube composition of claim 18 , wherein the nanotubes are at a concentration of greater than 10 mg/L.
22. The nanotube composition of claim 18 , wherein the nanotubes are at a concentration of greater than 100 mg/L.
23. The nanotube composition of claim 18 , wherein the nanotubes remain homogeneously distributed for at least one hour.
24. The nanotube composition of claim 18 , wherein the nanotubes remain homogeneously distributed for at least 24 hours.
25. The nanotube composition of claim 18 , wherein the nanotubes remain homogeneously distributed for at least one week.
26. The nanotube composition of claim 18 , wherein the composition is free of particle impurities having a diameter greater than about 100 nm.
27. The nanotube composition of claim 18 , wherein the composition comprises less than 15×10 10 atoms/cm 3 of metal impurities.