Nanotube-based high energy material and method

Abstract

A carbon-based material containing an allotrope of carbon, such as single-walled carbon nanotubes, is capable of accepting and intercalated alkali metal. The material exhibits a reversible capacity ranging from approximately 650 mAh / g-1,000 mAh / g. The high capacity of the material makes it attractive for a number of applications, such as a battery electrode material. A method of producing a single-walled carbon nanotube material includes purifying an as-recovered nanotube material, and depositing the purified material onto a conductive substrate. The coated substrate is incorporated into an electrochemical cell, an its ability to accept intercalated materials, such as an alkali metal (e.g.-lithium) is measured.

Description

[0001] Statement regarding research or development funded by the federal government [0002] At least some aspects of the invention were made with government funding under Contract No. N00014-98-1-0597. The government may have certain rights in the invention. Background of the invention [0003] Certain compounds, devices, and methods are referenced in the following description. It is not necessary to interpret these references as acknowledging that such compounds, devices and methods are prior art under the regulations of actual application. [0004] The existence of a third method called "fullerene" carbon was proved in 1990, which triggered a huge wave of research and development aimed at maximizing the potential of this "new" material. [0005] The term "fullerene" is generally used to refer to a family of carbon molecules with a cage-shaped hollow lattice structure. These "cages" can be of different shapes, such as balls ("jump balls"), or tubes ("nanotu...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0010] Therefore, there has been a long-standing need for materials with improved properties, but this need has not been met so far

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