Single-walled carbon nanotube preparation device based on plasma technology

Abstract

The utility model relates to a plasma technology-based single-walled carbon nanotube preparation device, which comprises a plasma generator, a preparation box and a cooling box, the plasma generator comprises a cavity, a solid catalyst electrode, a rotary telescopic motor, a stun gun and an arc striking gas injection pipe, and an inclined plate is arranged in the preparation box. According to the utility model, the rotary telescopic motor is started to drive the solid catalyst electrode to do regular front-back rotary motion, the catalytic promoter is introduced through the arc striking gas injection pipe, and the stun gun is started to carry out arc discharge, so that the catalytic promoter and the solid catalyst electrode are combined in situ to generate catalyst nanoparticles; the plasma arc bombards different surfaces of the solid catalyst electrode every time, the evaporation rate of the solid catalyst electrode is reduced, catalyst nanoparticles with the uniform size are obtained, a carbon source material is placed on an inclined plate, when the carbon source material falls to the height of the solid catalyst electrode, the carbon source material and the catalyst nanoparticles are subjected to catalytic cracking, and single-walled carbon nanotubes with the uniform size are generated; the product quality and the production efficiency are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a carbon nanotube preparation device, specifically a single-walled carbon nanotube preparation device based on plasma technology. Background Technology

[0002] Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), as a novel nanomaterial, possess excellent mechanical and electrical properties, as well as a large aspect ratio and high specific surface area, showing promising applications in electrochemical energy storage, catalysis, composite materials, and nanodevices. Common SWNT fabrication devices require a combination of a carbon source mixture and a gas stream of catalyst nanoparticles for catalytic pyrolysis to generate SWNTs. However, due to the varying sizes of the catalyst nanoparticles, the resulting SWNTs exhibit uneven size distribution.

[0003] Therefore, a plasma-based device for preparing single-walled carbon nanotubes is proposed to address the aforementioned technical problems. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a device for preparing single-walled carbon nanotubes based on plasma technology, so as to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a plasma-based single-walled carbon nanotube preparation device, comprising a plasma generator and a preparation chamber and a cooling chamber connected in sequence to the plasma generator. The plasma generator includes a cavity, which is connected to the preparation chamber. A solid catalyst electrode is disposed on the inner wall of the cavity, and a rotary telescopic motor is fixedly disposed on the outer wall of the cavity. The output end of the rotary telescopic motor extends into the inner cavity and is connected to the solid catalyst electrode. An electric gun is disposed at the top of the cavity, and an arc-initiating gas injection pipe is disposed inside the electric gun.

[0006] An inclined plate is fixedly installed on the inner wall of the preparation chamber, with the lower end of the inclined plate facing the solid catalyst electrode. A first connecting pipe is installed near the bottom of the preparation chamber, which is used to connect the preparation chamber and the cooling chamber.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment, the bottom of the preparation chamber is provided with a ramp, the upper port of the ramp is located directly below the lower port of the inclined plate, and the lower port of the ramp is connected to the first connecting pipe.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment, the cooling box is provided with a cooling mold connected to the first connecting pipe, and a cooling pipe is wound around the outer wall of the cooling mold.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment, a coolant tank is provided at the top of the cooling box, and a circulation pump is connected to the upper end of the coolant tank.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, the circulating pump is connected to an outlet pipe, the lower end of which extends into the cooling tank and connects to the inlet of the cooling pipe. The outlet of the cooling pipe is connected to a return pipe, the upper end of which extends out of the cooling tank and connects to the coolant tank.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment, a dust collection box is provided at the upper end of the cavity next to the stun gun, an air inlet pipe is connected to the upper end of the dust collection box, and a second connecting pipe extending into the inner cavity of the cavity is connected to the lower end of the dust collection box.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment, the dust collector has a filter layer and a drying layer inside, with the drying layer located below the filter layer.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment, a vacuum pump is provided at the upper end of the preparation chamber.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment, the feed inlet on the side wall of the preparation chamber is provided with a sealing door, which is located at the upper end of the inclined plate.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment, the preparation chamber is provided with a heater on its side wall.

[0016] As can be seen from the technical solution provided by this utility model above, the beneficial effects of the plasma-based single-walled carbon nanotube preparation device provided by this utility model are:

[0017] In this invention, a solid catalyst electrode is set on the inner wall of the cavity, and a rotary telescopic motor connected to the solid catalyst electrode is fixedly set on the outer wall of the cavity. An electric gun is set at the top of the cavity, and an arc-initiating gas injection pipe is set inside the electric gun. By starting the rotary telescopic motor, the solid catalyst electrode is driven to make regular back-and-forth rotational motion. Then, a catalyst promoter is introduced through the arc-initiating gas injection pipe, and the electric gun is started to perform an electric arc discharge, so that the catalyst promoter combines with the solid catalyst electrode in situ to generate catalyst nanoparticles. The plasma arc bombards different surfaces of the solid catalyst electrode each time, reducing the evaporation rate of the solid catalyst electrode and obtaining catalyst nanoparticles with uniform size. At the same time, the carbon source material is placed on the inclined plate. When it falls to the height directly opposite the solid catalyst electrode, it combines with the obtained catalyst nanoparticles with uniform size for catalytic cracking to generate uniform single-walled carbon nanotubes, thereby improving product quality and production efficiency.

[0018] In this invention, by setting up a cooling chamber, a coolant tank, and a circulating pump, the generated single-walled carbon nanotubes are introduced into a cooling mold inside the cooling chamber. The circulating pump is then started, drawing coolant from the coolant tank and allowing it to flow through the outlet pipe into the cooling pipes wrapped around the outer wall of the cooling mold inside the cooling chamber. The coolant cools the surface of the cooling mold, thereby reducing the number of single-walled carbon nanotubes in the mold. Subsequently, the coolant flows back into the coolant tank through the return pipe for recycling. With the above-mentioned device, the coolant does not need to directly contact the single-walled carbon nanotubes, avoiding coolant consumption and reducing material loss. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a plasma-based single-walled carbon nanotube preparation device according to this utility model.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a front cross-sectional view of a plasma-based single-walled carbon nanotube fabrication device according to this utility model.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cooling box structure of a plasma-based single-walled carbon nanotube preparation device according to this utility model.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the dust removal box structure of a plasma-based single-walled carbon nanotube preparation device according to this utility model.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Plasma generator; 2. Preparation chamber; 3. Cooling chamber; 4. Coolant tank; 5. Circulation pump; 10. Chamber; 11. Solid catalyst electrode; 12. Rotary telescopic motor; 13. Dust removal chamber; 14. Air inlet pipe; 15. Electric shock gun; 16. Arc ignition gas injection pipe; 21. Vacuum pump; 22. Inclined plate; 23. Slope; 24. Sealing door; 25. Heater; 26. First connecting pipe; 31. Cooling mold; 32. Cooling pipe; 33. Return pipe; 51. Discharge pipe; 131. Filter layer; 132. Drying layer; 133. Second connecting pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model.

[0025] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on or indirectly on that other component. When a component is referred to as being "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to or indirectly connected to that other component.

[0026] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0027] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0028] To better understand the above technical solutions, the following will provide a detailed explanation of the technical solutions in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0029] like Figure 1-3 As shown, this utility model embodiment provides a single-walled carbon nanotube preparation device based on plasma technology, including a plasma generator 1 and a preparation box 2 and a cooling box 3 connected in sequence to the plasma generator 1. The plasma generator 1 includes a cavity 10, which is connected to the preparation box 2. A solid catalyst electrode 11 is provided on the inner wall of the cavity 10, and a rotary telescopic motor 11 is fixedly provided on the outer wall of the cavity 10. The output end of the rotary telescopic motor 11 extends into the inner cavity of the cavity 10 and is connected to the solid catalyst electrode 11. An electric gun 15 is provided at the top of the cavity 10, and an arc-initiating gas injection pipe 16 is provided inside the electric gun 15.

[0030] An inclined plate 22 is fixedly installed on the inner wall of the preparation box 2. The lower end of the inclined plate 22 is directly opposite the solid catalyst electrode 11. A first connecting pipe 26 is provided near the bottom of the preparation box 2. The first connecting pipe 26 is used to connect the preparation box 2 and the cooling box 3.

[0031] The system comprises a plasma generator 1 for generating catalyst nanoparticles, a preparation chamber 2 for catalytic cracking of carbon source materials and catalyst nanoparticles to generate single-walled carbon nanotubes, a cooling chamber 3 for cooling the generated single-walled carbon nanotubes, and a first connecting pipe 26 for connecting the preparation chamber 2 and the cooling chamber 3 to transport the single-walled carbon nanotubes from the preparation chamber 2 to the cooling chamber 3. During operation, the system first activates the rotary telescopic motor 12, which drives the solid catalyst electrode 11 to rotate rhythmically back and forth. The solid catalyst electrode 11 can be a metal catalyst. Then, a catalytic promoter is introduced through the arc-initiating gas injection pipe 16, and the electric shock gun 15 is activated. Arc discharge causes the catalyst promoter to combine in situ with the solid catalyst electrode 11 to generate catalyst nanoparticles. As the solid catalyst electrode 11 rotates back and forth in a regular manner, the plasma arc bombards different surfaces of the solid catalyst electrode 11 each time, reducing the evaporation rate of the solid catalyst electrode 11 and obtaining catalyst nanoparticles of uniform size. At the same time, carbon source material is placed on the inclined plate 22. When the carbon source material falls to the height directly opposite the solid catalyst electrode 11, it combines with the obtained catalyst nanoparticles of uniform size for catalytic cracking, generating single-walled carbon nanotubes of uniform size. By setting up the above device, product quality and production efficiency can be improved.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, a ramp 23 is provided at the bottom of the inner cavity of the preparation box 2. The upper port of the ramp 23 is located directly below the lower port of the inclined plate 22, and the lower port of the ramp 23 is connected to the first connecting pipe 26.

[0033] In this process, by setting a ramp 23 at the bottom of the inner cavity of the preparation box 2, with the upper port of the ramp 23 located directly below the lower port of the inclined plate 22, the carbon nanotubes generated by catalytic cracking can fall down the ramp 23 into the first connecting pipe 26, and then be transported by the first connecting pipe 26 to the cooling box 3 to cool down the carbon nanotubes.

[0034] Combination Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the cooling box 3 is provided with a cooling mold 31 connected to the first connecting pipe 26, and a cooling pipe 32 is wound around the outer wall of the cooling mold 31.

[0035] When the carbon nanotubes fall into the cooling mold 31 through the first connecting pipe 26, the cooling pipe 32 wrapped around the outer wall of the cooling mold 31 can cool the carbon nanotubes.

[0036] like Figure 3 As shown, a coolant tank 4 is provided at the top of the cooling tank 3, and a circulation pump 5 is connected to the upper end of the coolant tank 4.

[0037] The coolant tank 4 is used to provide the coolant required to cool the single-walled carbon nanotubes, and the circulation pump 5 is used to circulate the coolant in the coolant tank 4.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, the circulating pump 5 is connected to an outlet pipe 51. The lower end of the outlet pipe 51 extends into the cooling tank 3 and is connected to the inlet of the cooling pipe 32. The outlet of the cooling pipe 32 is connected to a return pipe 33. The upper end of the return pipe 33 extends out of the cooling tank 3 and is connected to the coolant tank 4.

[0039] The circulating pump 5 draws coolant from the coolant tank 4, and the coolant flows through the outlet pipe 51 into the cooling tube 32 wrapped around the outer wall of the cooling mold 31 in the cooling box 3. The coolant cools the surface of the cooling mold 31, thereby reducing the temperature of the single-walled carbon nanotubes in the cooling mold 31. Then the coolant flows back into the coolant tank 4 through the return pipe 33 for coolant recycling. The coolant does not need to directly contact the single-walled carbon nanotubes, avoiding coolant consumption and reducing material loss.

[0040] like Figure 4 As shown, a dust removal box 13 is provided at the upper end of the cavity 10 next to the stun gun 15. An air inlet pipe 14 is connected to the upper end of the dust removal box 13, and a second connecting pipe 133 extending into the inner cavity of the cavity 10 is connected to the lower end of the dust removal box 13.

[0041] A dust removal box 13 is installed at the upper end of the cavity 10. The carrier gas introduced into the cavity 10 is removed by the dust removal box 13 to remove large particles of dust and moisture, so as to prevent large particles of dust and moisture from affecting the catalytic cracking reaction and the quality of the generated single-walled carbon nanotubes.

[0042] like Figure 4 As shown, the dust collection box 13 has a filter layer 131 and a drying layer 132 inside, with the drying layer 132 located below the filter layer 131.

[0043] The dust collector 13 has a filter layer 131 and a drying layer 132 inside. The carrier gas entering the dust collector 13 passes through the filter layer 131 and the drying layer 132 to remove large dust particles and moisture from the carrier gas, ensuring that the carrier gas is free of other impurities.

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown, a vacuum pump 21 is installed at the upper end of the preparation box 2.

[0045] In this process, by setting up a vacuum pump 21, the air in the plasma generator box 1, the preparation box 2 and the cooling box 3 is extracted before the preparation of single-walled carbon nanotubes, thereby creating a vacuum environment required for the reaction of catalyst nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes, which is beneficial for the generation of catalyst nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, the feed inlet on the side wall of the preparation box 2 is provided with a sealing door 24, which is located at the upper end of the inclined plate 22.

[0047] A sealing door 24 is provided at the feed inlet of the preparation box 2. When it is necessary to put the carbon source material into the preparation box 2, the sealing door 24 is opened, the carbon source material is put in, and then the sealing door 24 is closed to prevent the preparation box 2 from leaking air.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, a heater 25 is provided on the side wall of the preparation box 2.

[0049] The heater 25 is used to heat the preparation chamber 2, providing a temperature basis for the catalytic cracking of carbon source materials and catalyst nanoparticles to generate single-walled carbon nanotubes within the preparation chamber 2.

[0050] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows: When preparing single-walled carbon nanotubes, the carbon source material is placed in the preparation chamber 2, the sealing door 24 is closed, and the vacuum pump 21 extracts the air from the plasma generator chamber 1, preparation chamber 2, and cooling chamber 3 to create a vacuum environment. Then, the heater 25 is started to preheat the preparation chamber 2. Carrier gas is introduced into the dust removal chamber 13 to remove large particles of dust and moisture. The rotary telescopic motor 12 is started, driving the solid catalyst electrode 11 to perform a regular back-and-forth rotational motion. Subsequently, a catalyst promoter is introduced through the arc-initiating gas injection pipe 16, and the electric arc gun 15 is started to perform an electric arc discharge, causing the catalyst promoter to combine in situ with the solid catalyst electrode 11 to generate catalyst nanoparticles. Because the solid catalyst electrode 11 performs a regular back-and-forth rotational motion, the plasma arc bombards different surfaces of the solid catalyst electrode 11 each time, reducing the evaporation rate of the solid catalyst electrode 11 and obtaining catalyst nanoparticles of uniform size. Simultaneously, carbon source material is placed on inclined plate 22. When the carbon source material falls to the height directly opposite the solid catalyst electrode 11, it combines with the obtained uniform catalyst nanoparticles for catalytic cracking, generating uniform single-walled carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes generated by catalytic cracking can fall down the inclined plate 23 into the first connecting pipe 26, and then be transported by the first connecting pipe 26 to the cooling mold 31 in the cooling box 3. The circulation pump 5 is started to draw out the coolant in the coolant tank 4. The coolant flows along the outlet pipe 51 into the cooling pipe 32 wrapped around the outer wall of the cooling mold 31 in the cooling box 3. The coolant cools the surface of the cooling mold 31, thereby reducing the number of single-walled carbon nanotubes in the cooling mold 31. Then the coolant flows back into the coolant tank 4 along the return pipe 33 for coolant recycling. The coolant does not need to directly contact the single-walled carbon nanotubes, avoiding coolant consumption and reducing material loss.

[0051] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A plasma-based single-walled carbon nanotube fabrication apparatus, comprising a plasma generator (1) and a preparation chamber (2) and a cooling chamber (3) connected in sequence to the plasma generator (1), characterized in that: The plasma generator (1) includes a cavity (10) which is connected to the preparation box (2). A solid catalyst electrode (11) is provided on the inner wall of the cavity (10). A rotary telescopic motor (11) is fixedly provided on the outer wall of the cavity (10). The output end of the rotary telescopic motor (11) extends into the inner cavity of the cavity (10) and is connected to the solid catalyst electrode (11). An electric gun (15) is provided at the top of the cavity (10). An arc-initiating gas injection pipe (16) is provided inside the electric gun (15). An inclined plate (22) is fixedly installed on the inner wall of the preparation box (2). The lower end of the inclined plate (22) is directly opposite the solid catalyst electrode (11). A first connecting pipe (26) is installed near the bottom of the preparation box (2). The first connecting pipe (26) is used to connect the preparation box (2) and the cooling box (3).

2. The apparatus for preparing single-walled carbon nanotubes based on plasma technology according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the inner cavity of the preparation box (2) is provided with a ramp (23), the upper port of the ramp (23) is located directly below the lower port of the inclined plate (22), and the lower port of the ramp (23) is connected to the first connecting pipe (26).

3. The apparatus for preparing single-walled carbon nanotubes based on plasma technology according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cooling box (3) is provided with a cooling mold (31) connected to the first connecting pipe (26), and a cooling pipe (32) is wrapped around the outer wall of the cooling mold (31).

4. The apparatus for preparing single-walled carbon nanotubes based on plasma technology according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cooling tank (3) is equipped with a coolant tank (4) at the top, and a circulation pump (5) is connected to the upper end of the coolant tank (4).

5. The apparatus for preparing single-walled carbon nanotubes based on plasma technology according to claim 4, characterized in that: The circulating pump (5) is connected to an outlet pipe (51). The lower end of the outlet pipe (51) extends into the cooling tank (3) and is connected to the inlet of the cooling pipe (32). The outlet of the cooling pipe (32) is connected to a return pipe (33). The upper end of the return pipe (33) extends out of the cooling tank (3) and is connected to the coolant tank (4).

6. The apparatus for preparing single-walled carbon nanotubes based on plasma technology according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper end of the cavity (10) is provided with a dust removal box (13) next to the electric gun (15). The upper end of the dust removal box (13) is connected to an air inlet pipe (14), and the lower end of the dust removal box (13) is connected to a second connecting pipe (133) that extends into the cavity (10).

7. The apparatus for preparing single-walled carbon nanotubes based on plasma technology according to claim 6, characterized in that: The dust collector (13) has a filter layer (131) and a drying layer (132) inside its cavity, with the drying layer (132) located below the filter layer (131).

8. The apparatus for preparing single-walled carbon nanotubes based on plasma technology according to claim 1, characterized in that: A vacuum pump (21) is installed at the upper end of the preparation box (2).

9. The apparatus for preparing single-walled carbon nanotubes based on plasma technology according to claim 8, characterized in that: The preparation box (2) has a sealing door (24) at the feed inlet on the side wall, and the sealing door (24) is located at the upper end of the inclined plate (22).

10. The apparatus for preparing single-walled carbon nanotubes based on plasma technology according to claim 9, characterized in that: A heater (25) is provided on the side wall of the preparation box (2).

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