IP Library Granted Patent US 8,530,227
Granted Patent B2
US 8,530,227 · App. 12/603,104 · Granted Sep 10, 2013

Degradation of nanomaterials

Inventors: Alexander Star (Pittsburgh, PA); Valerian E. Kagan (Pittsburgh, PA); Brett Lee Allen (Pittsburgh, PA)
Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,530,227
App. No.
12/603,104
Granted
Sep 10, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of degrading carbon nanomaterials includes mixing the carbon nanomaterials with a composition comprising a peroxide substrate and at least one catalyst selected from the group of an enzyme and an enzyme analog. The peroxide substrate undergoes a reaction in the presence of the catalyst to produce an agent interactive with the nanotubes to degrade the carbon nanomaterials. The peroxide substrate can, for example, be hydrogen peroxide or an organic peroxide.

Claims (19)

1. A method of degrading carbon nanomaterials, comprising: mixing the carbon nanomaterials with a composition comprising a peroxide substrate and at least one catalyst selected from the group of an enzyme and an enzyme analog, the peroxide substrate undergoing a reaction in the presence of the catalyst to produce an agent interactive with the carbon nanomaterials to degrade the carbon nanomaterials.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the peroxide substrate is hydrogen peroxide or an organic peroxide and the agent is oxidative.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the catalyst comprises a transition metal.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the transition metal is iron.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the enzyme is a metal peroxidase or a laccase.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the enzyme is horseradish peroxidase or a myeloperoxidase.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the carbon nanomaterials are functionalized.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the carbon nanomaterials are carboxylated.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the catalyst is an enzyme naturally occurring in plants or animals.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the enzyme naturally occurs in mammals.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the enzyme naturally occurs in humans.

12. The method claim 10 wherein the enzyme is a myeloperoxidase.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the myeloperoxidase is present within a substance.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the myeloperoxidase is present within a neutrophil or a macrophage.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the carbon nanomaterials are carbon nanotubes.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the carbon nanotubes are single walled carbon nanotubes.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the carbon nanotubes are functionalized.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the carbon nanotubes are carboxylated.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the degradation occurs at ambient conditions.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 14, 2010
From: ALLEN, BRETT LEE
To: PITTSBURGH, UNIVERSITY OF - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Reel/Frame 024227/0726 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 14, 2010
From: KAGAN, VALERIAN E.
To: PITTSBURGH, UNIVERSITY OF - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Reel/Frame 024227/0769 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 14, 2010
From: STAR, ALEXANDER
To: PITTSBURGH, UNIVERSITY OF - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Reel/Frame 024227/0784 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Dec 30, 2009
From: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
To: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Reel/Frame 023721/0049 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61107340 · Oct 21, 2008
Related Publication 20100190239A1 · Jul 29, 2010