Array of single-wall carbon nanotubes
This invention relates generally to forming an array of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT). In one embodiment, a macroscopic molecular array is provided comprising at least about 10 6 single-wall carbon nanotubes in generally parallel orientation and having substantially similar lengths in the range of from about 5 to about 500 nanometers.
1. A macroscopic molecular array comprising at least about 10 6 single-wall carbon nanotubes, wherein (a) all of the single-wall carbon nanotubes in the macroscopic molecular array are in generally parallel orientation, and (b) all of the single-wall carbon nanotubes in the macroscopic molecular array have a substantially similar length, wherein the similar length is in the range of from about 5 to about 500 nanometers.
2. The array of claim 1 wherein said nanotubes are of the same type.
3. The array of claim 2 wherein said nanotubes are of the (n,n) type.
4. The array of claim 3 wherein said nanotubes are of the (10,10) type.
5. The array of claim 3 wherein said nanotubes are of the (m,n) type.
6. The array of claim 1 wherein said nanotubes are of different types.
7. The array of claim 1 further comprising a substrate attached to one end of said array and oriented substantially perpendicularly to the nanotubes in said array.
8. The array of claim 7 wherein said substrate is a bucky paper surface.
9. The array of claim 7 wherein said substrate is a metal layer selected from the group consisting of gold, mercury and indium-tin-oxide.
10. The array of claim 6 wherein a central portion of nanotubes are of the (n,n) type and an outer portion of nanotubes are of the (m,n) type.
11. A solar cell for converting broad spectrum light energy into electrical current comprising a molecular array as the photon collector, wherein (a) the molecular array comprises at least about 10 6 single-wall carbon nanotubes, (b) all of the single-wall carbon nanotubes in the molecular array are in generally parallel orientation, and (c) all of the single-wall carbon nanotubes in the molecular array have a substantially similar length, wherein the similar length is in the range of from about 5 to about 500 nanometers.
12. The solar cell of claim 11 additionally comprising a photoactive dye coupled to the upper ends of the nanotubes in said array.
13. A microporous anode for an electrochemical cell comprising a molecular array, wherein (a) the molecular array comprises at least about 10 6 single-wall carbon nanotubes, (b) all of the single-wall carbon nanotubes in the molecular array are in generally parallel orientation, and (c) all of the single-wall carbon nanotubes in the molecular array have a substantially similar length, wherein the similar length is in the range of from about 5 to about 500 nanometers.
14. A lithium ion secondary battery comprising an anode, a cathode comprising LiCoO 2 and an aprotic organic electrolyte wherein,
(a) a fullerene intercalating compound of lithium forms at the anode under charging conditions,
(b) the anode comprises a molecular array;
(c) the molecular array comprises at least about 10 6 single-wall carbon nanotubes;
(d) all of the single-wall carbon nanotubes in the molecular array are in generally parallel orientation; and
(e) all of the single-wall carbon nanotubes in the molecular array have a substantially similar length, wherein the similar length is in the range of from about 5 to about 500 nanometers.