Method for producing a catalyst support and compositions thereof

US7041620B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• William Marsh Rice University · US

Inventors

• Richard E. Smalley · Houston, US
• Daniel T. Colbert · Houston, US
• Hongjie Dai · Sunnyvale, US
• Jie Liu · Houston, US
• Andrew G. Rinzler · Newberry, US
• Jason H. Hafner · Houston, US
• Kenneth A. Smith · Houston, US
• Ting Guo · Davis, US
• Pavel Nikolaev · Houston, US
• Andreas Thess · Aspenhausiedlung, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 28, 2001
• Grant date: May 9, 2006
• Expiry date: Dec 17, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/30
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

This invention relates generally to a method for producing single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) catalyst supports and compositions thereof. In one embodiment, SWNTs or SWNT structures can be employed as the support material. A transition metal catalyst is added to the SWNT. In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst metal cluster is deposited on the open nanotube end by a docking process that insures optimum location for the subsequent growth reaction. The metal atoms may be subjected to reductive conditions.