Elevate Your Materials with Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes: The Next Frontier in Innovation

Introduction

In the world of advanced materials, the stakes are high. Industries demand materials that are stronger, lighter, more conductive, and adaptable to a wide range of applications. Our patented “Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes and Methods” (Patent #10,906,813) offers a breakthrough solution that not only meets these demands but surpasses them, opening up new possibilities across multiple industries.

The Innovation

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are already known for their remarkable properties—exceptional strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal stability. But the true potential of CNTs lies in their functionalization. Our patent introduces a cutting-edge method to functionalize carbon nanotubes, enhancing their compatibility with other materials and significantly broadening their application scope.

Why This Technology Matters

Unmatched Material Enhancement: Functionalized CNTs can be seamlessly integrated into polymers, metals, and ceramics, resulting in composite materials that are lighter, stronger, and more resilient. Imagine creating aerospace components that are as strong as steel but weigh a fraction of traditional materials, or automotive parts that boost fuel efficiency without sacrificing safety.
Revolutionizing Electronics: In the realm of electronics, functionalized CNTs offer superior electrical conductivity, enabling the development of faster, more efficient circuits and components. This technology can lead to smaller, more powerful electronic devices, enhancing everything from smartphones to advanced computing systems.
Expanding the Possibilities in Energy: For energy storage and generation, functionalized CNTs can be a game-changer. They provide the perfect platform for developing high-capacity batteries, supercapacitors, and even next-generation solar cells. The potential to store more energy in smaller spaces and convert it more efficiently could revolutionize renewable energy technologies.
Versatility Across Industries: The potential applications of functionalized CNTs are vast and varied. Whether it’s in medical devices, where biocompatibility and strength are crucial, or in sports equipment, where lightweight yet durable materials are in demand, this technology offers a solution that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of diverse markets.

Why You Should License This Patent

By licensing this patent, you’re not just gaining access to a superior material—you’re positioning your company at the forefront of material science innovation. Functionalized CNTs offer the unique combination of cutting-edge technology with practical, scalable applications. This means you can develop products that not only outperform competitors but also set new standards in your industry.

The Opportunity

The future of material science is here, and it’s more adaptable, more efficient, and more powerful than ever before. With our functionalized carbon nanotube technology, you have the opportunity to lead in your market, driving innovation and delivering unmatched value to your customers.

Don’t just keep up with the competition—leap ahead of it. License this technology and start transforming what’s possible today.

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Abstract
Claims

Provided herein are methods off functionalizing a carbon nanotube, functionalized carbon nanotubes, methods of forming a suspension, and methods of forming a sensor. The methods may include contacting one or more carbon nanotubes with a dienophile in the presence of a supercritical fluid to form one or more functionalized carbon nanotubes. The one or more functionalized carbon nanotubes may have a degree of functionalization of about 1% to about 5%.

We claim:

1. A method of functionalizing a carbon nanotube, the method comprising:

contacting one or more carbon nanotubes with a dienophile in the presence of a supercritical fluid to form one or more functionalized carbon nanotubes.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more functionalized carbon nanotubes have a degree of functionalization of about 1% to about 5%.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the dienophile comprises maleic anhydride, an alkenyl succinic anhydride, or a combination thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the supercritical fluid comprises supercritical carbon dioxide.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting of the one or more carbon nanotubes with the dienophile occurs at a temperature of about 130° C. to about 250° C.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting of the one or more carbon nanotubes with the dienophile occurs at a pressure of at least 20 MPa.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting of the one or more carbon nanotubes with the dienophile occurs at a pressure of about 8 MPa to about 30 MPa.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing the dienophile from the one or more functionalized carbon nanotubes.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the removing of the dienophile comprises contacting the one or more functionalized carbon nanotubes with carbon dioxide at (i) a pressure of about 20 MPa to about 30 MPa, and (ii) a temperature of about 80° C. to about 100° C.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more carbon nanotubes comprises one or more single-wall carbon nanotubes, one or more double-wall carbon nanotubes, one or more multi-wall carbon nanotubes, or a combination thereof.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more carbon nanotubes are in the form of a bulk material.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the bulk material comprises a sheet, a foam, a fiber, or a combination thereof.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising disposing the one or more functionalized carbon nanotubes in a liquid to form a suspension.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the liquid comprises N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), or a combination thereof.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the one or more functionalized carbon nanotubes are present in the suspension at an amount of about 0.1% to about 25% by weight, based on the weight of the suspension.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising contacting the one or more functionalized carbon nanotubes with a reactant, wherein the reactant comprises (i) ammonia, or (ii) at least one primary amine.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the reactant is selected from the group consisting of aniline, benzene-1,3-diamine, ethane-1,2-diamine, N¹,N¹-dimethylethane-1,2-diamine, pyren-1-amine, and a combination thereof.

18. A method of making a sensor, the method comprising:

providing one or more functionalized carbon nanotubes made according to the method of claim 1; and

disposing the one or more functionalized carbon nanotubes on a substrate.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the disposing of the one or more functionalized carbon nanotubes comprises printing the one or more functionalized carbon nanotubes on the substrate.

20. A functionalized carbon nanotube, wherein the functionalized carbon nanotube comprises a surface to which at least one dihydrofuran-2,5-dione moiety is covalently bonded.

21. A sensor comprising:

a substrate; and

the functionalized carbon nanotube of claim 20, wherein the functionalized carbon nanotube is disposed on the substrate; and

wherein the sensor is configured to provide a resistance response when (i) the sensor is subjected to a strain, or (ii) the functionalized carbon nanotube chemically reacts with a gas.

22. The sensor according to claim 21, wherein the substrate is flexible.

23. A derivative of a functionalized carbon nanotube, wherein the derivative of a functionalized carbon nanotube comprises a surface to which at least one 1-(C₁-C₂₀hydrocarbyl)pyrrolidone-2,5-dione moiety is covalently bonded.

24. The derivative of a functionalized carbon nanotube of claim 23, wherein the C₁-C₂₀hydrocarbyl group is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, phenyl substituted with a primary amine, ethyl substituted with a primary amine, ethyl substituted with a tertiary amine, and pyrenyl.

Title

Functionalized carbon nanotubes and methods

Inventor(s)

Changchun Zeng, Yan Li, Zhiyong Liang

Assignee(s)

Florida State University Research Foundation Inc

Patent #

10906813

Patent Date

February 2, 2021