Method and apparatus for the continuous production and functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes using a high frequency plasma torch

US8834827B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• National Research Council of Canada · CA
• UNIVERSITE DE SHERBROOKE · CA

Inventors

• Benoit Simard · Drumquin, CA
• Christopher Thomas Kingston · Ottawa, CA
• Stephane Denommee · Ottawa, CA
• Gervais Soucy · Sherbrooke, CA
• German Cota Sanchez · Deep River, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 14, 2006
• Grant date: Sep 16, 2014
• Expiry date: Apr 3, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C01B2202/02
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An integrated method and apparatus to continuously produce purified Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWNT) from a continuous supply of solid carbon powder fed to an induction plasma torch. The apparatus includes a reactor body disposed to maintain laminar flow of gases with the torch body and coupled to a quenching body where temperature and residence time is controlled. Conveniently, functionalization may take place in the quenching body. The torch is operated with an argon carrier gas, an argon stabilizing gas and a helium sheath gas. Solid carbon reactants are preferably mixed with at least two metal catalysts containing nickel and cobalt with additional metal oxides of yttrium and cerium being desirable.