Method of making a filter material including activated carbon particles having carbon nanofilaments

1. A method of making a filter material for producing potable water comprising:

providing a plurality of loose activated carbon particles comprising a largest dimension of from about 1 to about 500 μm;

depositing one or more nanofilament precursors at least partially onto the surface of the loose activated carbon particles;

agitating the activated carbon particles and deposited nanofilament precursors in the presence of carbonaceous vapor; and

heating the activated carbon particles and the deposited nanofilament precursors in the presence of carbonaceous vapor at a temperature and time sufficient to produce the filter material comprising activated carbon particles having carbon nanofilaments on the surface of the particles.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising cleaning the carbon nanofilaments and substantially removing any remaining nanofilament precursors after the heating step.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the cleaning utilizes heat treatment, or chemical treatment.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the chemical treatment comprises cleaning with an acid solution.

5. A method according to claim 1 further comprising treating the carbon particles and deposited nanofilament precursors with a reducing agent prior to the heating step.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the reducing agent comprises hydrogen, ammonia, or mixtures thereof.

7. A method according to claim 1 further wherein the nanofilament precursors are deposited onto the activated carbon particles by electrochemical deposition, electron-beam evaporation, thermal vapor deposition, and/or radio frequency magnetron sputtering.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the nanofilament precursors comprise catalysts.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the catalysts comprise salts of transition metals.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the reaction temperature is from about 400° C. to about 1500° C.

11. A method according to claim 1 wherein the reaction time is from about 2 minutes to about 10 hours.

12. A method according to claim 1 further comprising providing a carrier gas to deliver the carbonaceous vapor to the surface of the carbon particles, wherein the carbonaceous vapor comprise acetylene, benzene, xylene, ethylene, methane, ethanol, carbon monoxide, camphor, naphthalene, or mixtures thereof.

13. A method of making a filter material for producing potable water comprising:

providing a plurality of loose carbonized carbon particles comprising a largest dimension of from about 1 to about 500 μm;

depositing one or more nanofilament precursors at least partially onto the surface of the loose carbonized carbon particles;

agitating the carbonized carbon particles and deposited nanofilament precursors in the presence of carbonaceous vapor;

heating the carbonized carbon particles and the deposited nanofilament precursors in the presence of carbonaceous vapor at a temperature and time sufficient to produce carbon nanofilaments on the surface of the carbonized carbon particles; and

activating the carbonized carbon particles by heating or chemically treating the carbonized particles and carbon nanofilaments to produce the filter material comprising activated carbon particles having carbon nanofilaments on the surface of the particles.

14. A method according to claim 13 further comprising cleaning the carbon nanofilaments and substantially removing any remaining nanofilament precursors after the heating step.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the cleaning utilizes heat treatment, or chemical treatment.

16. A method according to claim 13 further comprising treating the carbonized carbon particles and deposited nanofilament precursors with a reducing agent prior to the heating step.

17. A method according to claim 13 further wherein the nanofilament precursors are deposited onto the activated carbon particles by electrochemical deposition, electron-beam evaporation, thermal vapor deposition, and/or radio frequency magnetron sputtering.

18. A method according to claim 13 wherein the nanofilament precursors comprise catalysts, the catalysts being comprised of transition metals.

19. A method according to claim 13 wherein the reaction temperature is from about 400° C. to about 1500° C., and the reaction time is from about 2 minutes to about 10 hours.

20. A method according to claim 13 wherein the carbonaceous vapor comprises acetylene, benzene, xylene, ethylene, methane, ethanol, carbon monoxide, camphor, naphthalene, or mixtures thereof.