NANOPLATE-NANOTUBE COMPOSITES, METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF AND PRODUCTS OBTAINED THEREFROM
Compositions and methods of producing discrete nanotubes and nanoplates and a method for their production. The discrete nanotube/nanoplate compositions are useful in fabricated articles to provide superior mechanical and electrical performance. They are also useful as catalysts and catalyst supports for chemical reactions.
1 . A composition comprising:
inorganic plates with individual plate thickness less than 10 nanometers:
wherein the inorganic plates are interspersed with discrete nanotubes, the nanotubes having a diameter ranging from about 1 nanometer to 150 nanometers, and the nanotubes having an aspect ratio ranging from about 10 to 500.
2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the inorganic plates are graphene nanoplates.
3 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the inorganic plates and discrete tubes are present at a weight ratio of about 1:100 to 100:1.
4 . The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of: thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers.
5 . The composition of claim 1 , further comprising inorganic materials selected from the group consisting of: ceramics, clays, silicates, metal complexes and salts.
6 . The composition of claim 1 further comprising at least one electroactive material.
7 . The composition of claim 1 further comprising at least one transition metal complex or active catalyst species.
8 . A method of preparing graphene carbon nanotube composites, comprising the steps of:
a) suspending non-discrete graphene and non-discrete carbon nanotube fibers in an acidic solution for a time period to form a suspension;
b) agitating the suspension;
c) sonically treating the suspension of graphene-carbon nanotubes to form graphene-discrete carbon nanotube fibers; and
d) isolating the graphene-discrete carbon nanotube fibers from the acidic solution prior to further treatment using solid/liquid separations:
wherein the solid/liquid separations comprise filtration.
9 . A method of preparing inorganic plate-carbon nanotube composites, comprising the steps of:
a) suspending non-discrete carbon nanotube fibers in an acidic solution for a time period to form a suspension;
b) sonically treating the suspension of carbon nanotubes to form discrete carbon nanotube fibers,
c) isolating the discrete carbon nanotube fibers from the acidic solution;
d) washing the discrete carbon nanotube fibers with water or another liquid;
e) redispersing the discrete carbon nanotube fibers with inorganic plates, optionally with surfactants and sonication;
f) optionally adding a polymer;
g) optionally adding a transition metal complex;
h) optionally adding an electroactive material;
i) optionally adding a ceramic; and
j) separating the mixture and optionally drying.
10 . The use of the composition of claim 1 in a fabricated article such as a tire, industrial rubber part or wind blade.
11 . The use of the composition of claim 1 in a battery.
12 . The use of the composition of claim 1 in a capacitor.
13 . The use of the composition of claim 1 in a solar cell.
14 . The use of the composition of claim 1 in a powder or liquid mixture used for catalysts or catalyst supports for gas phase reaction.
15 . The use of the composition of claim 1 in a liquid or solid mixture used for catalysts or catalyst supports for solution and slurry phase reactions.
16 . The use of the composition of claim 1 in a concrete mixture used for a foundation, road, or bridge, or in a ceramic mixture used for green-ware to produce ceramic parts.