University of Pittsburgh

Zyvex Performance Materials, LLC

University of Kentucky Research Foundation

Zyvex Corporation

Zyvek Performance Materials, LLC

Jian Chen

Haiying Liu

Robert Cort Haddon

Mark J Dyer

Mark A Hamon

James R Von Ehr

Ramasubramaniam Rajagopal

A new, non-wrapping approach to functionalizing nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes, in organic and inorganic solvents is provided. In accordance with certain embodiments, carbon nanotube surfaces are functionalized in a non-wrapping fashion by functional conjugated polymers that include functional groups. Various embodiments provide polymers that noncovalently bond with carbon nanotubes in a non-wrapping fashion. For example, various embodiments of polymers are provided that comprise a relatively rigid backbone that is suitable for noncovalently bonding with a carbon nanotube substantially along the nanotube's length, as opposed to about its diameter. In preferred polymers, the major interaction between the polymer backbone and the nanotube surface is parallel &#x3c0;-stacking. In certain implementations, the polymers further comprise at least one functional extension from the backbone that are any of various desired functional groups for functionalizing a carbon nanotube.

Polymer and method for using the polymer for noncovalently functionalizing nanotubes

A new, non-wrapping approach to solubilize nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes, in organic and inorganic solvents is provided. In accordance with certain embodiments, carbon nanotube surfaces are functionalized in a non-wrapping fashion by functional conjugated polymers that include functional groups for solubilizing such nanotubes. Various embodiments provide polymers that noncovalently bond with carbon nanotubes in a non-wrapping fashion. For example, various embodiments of polymers are provided that comprise a relatively rigid backbone that is suitable for noncovalently bonding with a carbon nanotube substantially along the nanotube's length, as opposed to about its diameter. In preferred polymers, the major interaction between the polymer backbone and the nanotube surface is parallel &#x3c0;-stacking. The polymers further comprise at least one functional extension from the backbone that are any of various desired functional groups that are suitable for solubilizing a carbon nanotube.

Polymer and method for using the polymer for solubilizing nanotubes

Electrical, thermal and mechanical applications are provided for nanocomposite materials having low percolation thresholds for electrical conductivity, low percolation thresholds for thermal conductivity, or improved mechanical properties.

Nanocomposites and methods thereto

A system and method for manipulation of nanotubes using an organic material that is presented to the nanotubes. Exemplary types of manipulation include cutting nanotubes into shortened nanotubes, dispersing nanotubes, enabling dissolution of nanotubes, and noncovalently functionalizing nanotubes. The organic material used in manipulating nanotubes preferably comprises a solid organic material, soluble organic material, and/or an organic material that acts as a dispersing reagent for dispersing nanotubes. In a preferred embodiment, the organic material used for manipulating nanotubes comprises cyclodextrin.

System and method for manipulating nanotubes

A solution containing randomized nanotubes is introduced into a channelized mold and the solution is dried resulting in a number of parallel nanotubes stretched across the walls of the channel. In one embodiment, the channels are open along their longitudinal axis and that opening is covered with a material, such as silicon. The solution is allowed to dry, preferably at room temperature, and as it recedes from the channel the receding solution tends to stretch certain of the nanotubes across the channel so that they become attached to the opposite walls of the channel. By varying the shapes and width of the channel sides various controlled nanotube lengths can be achieved. The mold, with the constructed nanotubes, can be positioned to mate with another structure for the transfer of the nanotubes to the second structure.

Directional assembly of carbon nanotube strings

A system and method are disclosed which allow for manipulation of nanotubes. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention enable various types of manipulation of nanotubes utilizing an organic material that is presented to the nanotubes. For example, a preferred embodiment of the present invention enables cutting of nanotubes into shortened nanotubes. Other types of nanotube manipulation that are enabled by embodiments of the present invention, include dispersing nanotubes, enabling dissolution of nanotubes, and noncovalently fuctionalizing nanotubes. The organic material utilized in manipulating nanotubes preferably comprises a soft organic material, soluble organic material, and/or an organic material that acts as a dispersing reagent for dispersing nanotubes. In a preferred embodiment, the organic material utilized for manipulating nanotubes comprises cyclodextrin.

Naked single-walled nanotube carbon metals and semiconductors are dissolved in various organic solutions.

Method of solubilizing single-walled carbon nanotubes in organic solutions

Naked carbon nanotubes are dissolved in organic solutions by terminating the nanotubes with carboxylic acid groups and attaching an aliphatic carbon chain so as to render the carbon nanotubes soluble.

Method of solubilizing unshortened carbon nanotubes in organic solutions

Naked single-walled nanotube carbon metals and semiconductors were dissolved in organic solutions by derivatization with SOCl,and octadecylamine charge. Both ionic (charge transfer) and covalent solution phase chemistry with concomitant modulation of the single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) band structure were demonstrated. Solution phase near-IR spectroscopy was used to study the effects of chemical modifications on the band gaps of the SWNTs. Reaction of solubilized SWNTs with dichlorocarbene led to functionalization of the nanotube walls.

Method of solubilizing shortened single-walled carbon nanotubes in organic solutions

Naked single-walled nanotube carbon metals and semiconductors are dissolved in organic solutions by direct functionalization with amines or alkylaryl amines having an uninterrupted carbon chain of at least 5 and more preferably 9 carbon atoms in length.

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Richardson, TX, United States of America

Jian Chen