The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 31, 1996
Filed:
Jun. 06, 1995
Howard G Tennent, Kennett Square, PA (US);
James J Barber, Arlington, MA (US);
Robert Hoch, Middle Village, NY (US);
Hyperion Catalysis International, Inc., Cambridge, MA (US);
Abstract
This invention concerns a discrete carbon fibril characterized by a substantially constant diameter between about 3.5 and about 70 nanometers, length greater than about 5 times the diameter and less than about 100 times the diameter, an outer region of multiple essentially continuous layers of ordered carbon atoms and a distinct inner core region. The invention further concerns a plurality of such fibrils. The fibrils of this invention may be produced by contacting for an appropriate period of time and at a suitable pressure a suitable metal-containing particle with a suitable gaseous, carbon-containing compound, at a temperature between about 850.degree. C. and 1200.degree. C., or by treating discrete carbon fibrils, characterized by a length greater than about 100 times the diameter. Carbon fibrils may also be continuously produced by continuously contacting for an appropriate period of time at suitable conditions. Another aspect of the invention concerns a composition of matter comprising a carbon fiber or a carbon plate and a plurality of fibrils. Carbon fibrils and compositions of matter comprising carbon fibrils are useful in composites having a matrix of e.g., an organic polymer, an organic polymer or a metal. In specific embodiments, the fibrils or the compositions of matter may be used to reinforce a structural material, to enhance the electrical or thermal conductivity of a material, to increase the surface area of an electrode or capacitor plate, to provide a support for a catalyst, or to shield an object from electromagnetic radiation.