Electrodes for making nanocarbon-infused metals and alloys

US12087828B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC · US
• U.S. Department of Energy · US

Inventors

• Uthamalingam Balachandran · Willowbrook, US
• Stephen E. Dorris · Bourbonnais, US
• Beihai Ma · Naperville, US
• Tae Hyun Lee · Naperville, US
• David R. Forrest · Washington, US
• Christopher Klingshirn · College Park, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 4, 2018
• Grant date: Sep 10, 2024
• Expiry date: Jun 2, 2043

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C01B32/20
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method for preparing a covetic, nanocarbon-infused, metal composite material is described is herein. The method comprises heating a stirring molten mixture of a metal (e.g., Cu, Al, Ag, Au, Fe, Ni, Pt, Sn, Pb, Zn, Si, and the like) and carbon (e.g., graphite) at a temperature sufficient to maintain the mixture in the molten state in a reactor vessel, while passing an electric current through the molten mixture via at least two spaced electrodes submerged or partially submerged in the molten metal. Each of the electrodes has an electrical conductivity that is at least about 50 percent of the electrical conductivity of the molten mixture at the temperature of the molten mixture. Preferably, the conductivity of the electrodes is equal to or greater than the conductivity of the molten mixture.