SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GROWTH OF NANOSTRUCTURES ON SUBSTRATES, INCLUDING SUBSTRATES COMPRISING FIBERS
Systems and methods for the formation of nanostructures, including carbon-based nanostructures, are generally described. In certain embodiments, substrate configurations and associated methods are described.
1 . An article, comprising:
a growth substrate;
an intermediate material non-covalently associated with the growth substrate; and
a nanopositor configured to promote the growth of carbon-based nanostructures from carbon-based nanostructure precursors associated with the intermediate material.
2 . An article as in claim 1 , wherein the nanopositor is in direct contact with the intermediate material.
3 . An article as in claim 2 , wherein the nanopositor is covalently bonded to the intermediate material.
4 . An article as in claim 2 , wherein the nanopositor is ionically bonded to the intermediate material.
5 . An article as in claim 1 , wherein the growth substrate comprises carbon, glass, and/or a polymer.
6 . An article as in claim 1 , wherein the nanopositor comprises an elemental metal and/or a metal oxide.
7 . An article as in claim 6 , wherein the nanopositor comprises an elemental metal.
8 . An article as in claim 7 , wherein the nanopositor comprises elemental iron.
9 . An article as in claim 1 , wherein the nanopositor comprises iron.
10 . An article as in claim 1 , wherein the intermediate material comprises a polymer.
11 . An article as in claim 1 , wherein the intermediate material comprises a functional group capable of participating in a pi-pi interaction with the substrate.
12 . An article as in claim 1 , wherein the intermediate material comprises an aromatic group.
13 . An article as in claim 12 , wherein the intermediate material comprises a phenyl group.
14 . An article as in claim 1 , wherein the intermediate material comprises poly(styrene-alt-[maleic acid]).
15 . An article as in claim 1 , wherein the intermediate material covers at least a portion of an exposed surface of the substrate.
16 . An article as in claim 1 , wherein the intermediate material is present as a coating over the substrate.
17 . An article as in claim 16 , wherein the intermediate material is present as a substantially conformal coating over the substrate.
18 . An article as in claim 17 , wherein the intermediate material is present as a surface layer over the substrate.
19 . An article as in claim 18 , wherein the intermediate material is present as a monolayer over the substrate.
20 . An article as in claim 16 , wherein the intermediate material is present as a non-conformal coating over the substrate.
21 . An article as in claim 1 , wherein the intermediate material comprises an anion.
22 . An article, comprising:
an elongated carbon-based growth substrate, wherein the substrate has a tensile strength of at least about 1 GPa; and
a plurality of substantially aligned carbon-based nanostructures positioned over the elongated carbon-based growth substrate.
23 . An article as in claim 22 , comprising a ceramic-containing material positioned between the elongated carbon-based growth substrate and the plurality of substantially aligned carbon-based nanostructures.
24 . An article as in claim 23 , wherein the ceramic-containing material comprises a metal oxide and/or a metalloid oxide.
25 . An article as in claim 24 , wherein the metal comprises aluminum.
26 - 27 . (canceled)
28 . An article as in claim 1 , wherein the carbon-based nanostructures comprise carbon nanotubes.
29 . An article as in claim 1 , wherein the carbon-based nanostructures comprise carbon nanofibers.
30 . An article as in claim 1 , wherein the growth substrate comprises a fiber.
31 . An article as in claim 30 , wherein the fiber is part of a weave of fibers.
32 . An article as in claim 30 , wherein the fiber is part of a bundle of fibers.
33 . An article as in claim 30 , wherein the fiber is substantially free of contact with other fibers.
34 . An article as in claim 1 , wherein the growth substrate comprises a carbon fiber.
35 . An article as in claim 1 , wherein the nanopositor comprises a catalyst.
36 . A system for growing carbon-based nanostructures, comprising:
a growth substrate under a tensile force; and
a nanopositor positioned over the growth substrate;
wherein the system is configured to expose a carbon-based nanostructure precursor to the nanopositor under conditions causing the formation of carbon-based nanostructures on the nanopositor while the tensile force is applied to the growth substrate.
37 . A system as in claim 36 , comprising an intermediate material between the growth substrate and the nanopositor.
38 - 40 . (canceled)
41 . A system as in claim 36 , wherein the nanopositor is in direct contact with the growth substrate.
42 - 65 . (canceled)
66 . A system as in claim 36 , wherein the magnitude of the tensile force is such that it defines a stress that is greater than about 1% of the breaking strength of the substrate.
67 . (canceled)
68 . A method of growing carbon-based nanostructures, comprising:
applying a tensile force to a growth substrate over which a nanopositor is positioned; and
exposing a carbon-based nanostructure precursor to the nanopositor under conditions causing the formation of carbon-based nanostructures on the nanopositor while the tensile force is applied to the growth substrate.
69 - 71 . (canceled)
72 . A method of growing carbon-based nanostructures, comprising:
exposing a carbon-based nanostructure precursor to a nanopositor under conditions causing the formation of carbon-based nanostructures on the nanopositor, wherein the nanopositor is associated with an intermediate material that is non-covalently associated with a growth substrate.
73 - 88 . (canceled)
89 . A method of growing carbon-based nanostructures, comprising:
exposing a ceramic-containing layer, positioned over an elongated carbon-based growth substrate, to a carbon-based nanostructure precursor under conditions causing the formation of substantially aligned carbon-based nanostructures on the ceramic-containing layer.
90 - 108 . (canceled)