Empowering Innovation with CNT Metal Substrates

Introduction

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have long been heralded for their exceptional strength, conductivity, and versatility in various industries. However, integrating these materials with transition metals opens up an entirely new dimension of potential. Our patented CNT metal substrates offer a transformative approach to materials science, empowering industries to develop higher-performance electronics, more efficient energy storage solutions, and stronger, more conductive materials for diverse applications.

Challenges in High-Performance Materials

In industries that rely on high-performance materials—such as electronics, energy storage, and advanced manufacturing—balancing conductivity, strength, and scalability can be a constant challenge. Traditional materials often fall short in delivering the combined properties needed for next-generation devices and technologies. Moreover, integrating conductive materials like metals with CNTs in a consistent, reliable way has been difficult to achieve, limiting the potential applications of these remarkable materials.

For industries to stay ahead, they need a solution that offers both the advantages of CNTs—lightweight, high strength, excellent electrical properties—and the complementary benefits of transition metals to improve overall performance.

Why Choose CNT Metal Substrates?

Our CNT metal substrate innovation combines the unparalleled properties of carbon nanotube sheets with the enhanced performance of transition metals. This technology results in a material that is lightweight yet incredibly strong, with superior conductivity, making it ideal for a range of applications. From advanced electronics to energy storage, this substrate provides a versatile platform for industries looking to innovate and stay competitive.

The integration of transition metals onto CNT substrates enhances electrical conductivity, making it perfect for use in components like transistors, capacitors, or battery electrodes. These materials also offer enhanced mechanical strength, making them ideal for applications where durability is critical. Whether developing lightweight aerospace components, high-efficiency energy storage solutions, or next-gen electronic devices, this technology provides the building blocks for progress.

Key Benefits

Superior Conductivity: Combines the electrical properties of CNTs with enhanced conductivity from transition metals.
High Strength, Low Weight: Offers exceptional strength while remaining lightweight, ideal for advanced manufacturing.
Versatile Applications: Suitable for electronics, energy storage, aerospace, and more.
Innovative Materials Science: Provides a transformative platform for developing new, high-performance materials.

Unlock the Future with CNT Metal Substrates

Licensing this CNT metal substrate technology gives companies the edge in creating high-performance materials for a range of industries. From cutting-edge electronics to energy-efficient storage solutions, this innovation is the key to unlocking new possibilities in nanotechnology, materials science, and beyond.

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Abstract
Claims

The present subject matter relates generally to the derivatization of highly-aligned carbon nanotube sheet substrates with one or more transition metal centers and to uses of the resulting metal-derivatized CNT sheet substrates.

What is claimed:

1. A carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet or CNT sheet substrate derivatized with one or more metal center selected from the group of Cu, Pt, Ru, Ti, Pd, Sn, Ag, Au, CuO, Cu₂O, TiO₂, PdO, SnO, AgO, AuO, Ag/Ti, Pt/Ru, Ag/TiO₂, Sn/TiO₂, Pt/TiO₂, Au/TiO₂, and Pt/Al₂O₃, wherein said CNT sheet comprises an array of CNT aligned after synthesis of the CNT and wherein said CNT sheet substrate comprises at least two CNT sheet layers.

2. The CNT sheet or CNT sheet substrate of claim 1, wherein said one or more metal center comprises one or more of Cu, Pt, Ti, Pd, Ag, Au, Ag/Ti and Pt/Ru.

3. The CNT sheet or CNT sheet substrate of claim 2, wherein said one or more metal center comprises one or more of Cu, Ti, Pt, Ag, and Au.

4. The CNT sheet or CNT sheet substrate of claim 3, wherein said one or more metal center comprises Cu.

5. The CNT sheet or CNT sheet substrate of claim 1, wherein said one or more metal center comprises one or more of CuO, Cu₂O, TiO₂, PdO, SnO, AgO, and AuO.

6. The CNT sheet or CNT sheet substrate of claim 5, wherein said one or more metal center comprises TiO₂.

7. The CNT sheet or CNT sheet substrate of claim 1, wherein said one or more metal center comprises one or more of Ag/TiO₂, Sn/TiO₂, Pt/TiO₂, Au/TiO₂, and Pt/Al₂O₃.

8. The CNT sheet or CNT sheet substrate of claim 7, wherein said one or more metal center comprises Ag/TiO₂.

9. A catalyst comprising the CNT sheet or CNT sheet substrate of claim 1.

10. The catalyst of claim 9, wherein said catalyst is an electrocatalyst.

11. The catalyst of claim 9, wherein said catalyst is a photoelectrocatalyst.

12. A method of converting carbon dioxide to one or more of carbon monoxide, methane, ethane, higher order hydrocarbons or a combination thereof comprising exposing said carbon dioxide to a catalyst comprising the CNT sheet or CNT sheet substrate of claim 1.

13. The CNT sheet or CNT sheet substrate of claim 1, wherein said CNT sheet substrate comprises multiple layers of free-standing CNT sheets.

14. A method of preparing a CNT sheet or CNT sheet substrate derivatized with one or more transition metal centers, wherein said CNT sheet comprises an array of CNT aligned after synthesis of the CNT and wherein said CNT sheet substrate comprises at least two CNT sheet layers, the method comprising:

(a) treating a CNT sheet or CNT sheet substrate with oxygen plasma yielding a functionalized CNT sheet or functionalized CNT sheet substrate; and

(b) depositing one or more transition metals on the functionalized CNT sheet or functionalized CNT sheet substrate.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said depositing comprises sol-gel deposition, electrodeposition, physical vapor deposition or chemical vapor deposition.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said electrodeposition comprises pulsed electrodeposition.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising activating the functionalized CNT sheet or functionalized CNT sheet substrate.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said activation is electrochemical activation.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein said method does not comprise electrochemically activating the functionalized CNT sheet or functionalized CNT sheet substrate.

20. A method for fabricating of a CNT sheet substrate, the method comprising:

(a) providing a first CNT sheet substrate having a first thickness defined by a number of CNT sheets;

(b) providing a template sheet having an aperture therein, the aperture having a predetermined dimension;

(d) pulling the template sheet away from the first CNT sheet substrate to form a second CNT sheet substrate of a second thickness and having the predetermined dimension of the aperture, wherein the second thickness is not as great as the first thickness.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the number of CNT sheets that define the first thickness of the first CNT sheet substrate ranges from about 25 to about 200 sheets.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein

step (b) comprises providing two template sheets, each having an aperture therein, each aperture having a predetermined dimension therein, optionally wherein the predetermined dimension of each aperture is same;

step (c) comprises adhering one template sheet to a first surface of the first CNT sheet substrate and adhering the other template sheet to a second surface of the first CNT sheet substrate opposite the first surface; and

step (d) comprises pulling the template sheets away from the first CNT sheet substrate to form a second CNT sheet substrate of a second thickness and having the predetermined dimension of the aperture, wherein the second thickness is not as great as the first thickness.

23. The method of claim 20, comprising repeating steps (a)-(d) one or more additional times, with each repeat starting with the CNT sheet substrate formed at the completion of steps (a)-(d).

Title

CNT sheet substrates and transition metals deposited on same

Inventor(s)

Yeoheung Yun, Youngmi Koo, Jagannathan Sankar

Assignee(s)

North Carolina A&T State University

Patent #

10505201

Patent Date

December 10, 2019