Nanoplate-nanotube composites, methods for production thereof and products obtained therefrom
View Patent ↗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 of less than 10 nanometers;
wherein the inorganic plates are interspersed with carbon nanotubes consisting essentially of discrete exfoliated carbon nanotubes between the inorganic plates, the carbon nanotubes having a diameter ranging from about 1 nanometer to 150 nanometers, an oxidation level of from about 1 weight % to about 15 weight %, and the carbon nanotubes having an aspect ratio ranging from about 10 to 500, and wherein the inorganic plates are discernible graphene nanoplates.
2. 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.
3. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of: thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers.
4. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising inorganic materials selected from the group consisting of: ceramics, clays, silicates, metal complexes and salts.
5. The composition of claim 1 further comprising at least one electroactive material.
6. The composition of claim 1 further comprising at least one transition metal complex or active catalyst species.
7. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotubes have an aspect ratio ranging from about 25 to 500.
8. The composition of claim 7 , wherein the inorganic plates and discrete tubes are present at a weight ratio of about 1:100 to 100:1.
9. The composition of claim 7 , further comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of: thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers.
10. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the graphene nanoplates and carbon nanotubes are oxidized.