Apparatus for manufacturing a long carbon nanotube sheet and method for manufacturing a long carbon nanotube sheet

Abstract

Provided is a long CNT sheet manufacturing apparatus for efficiently manufacturing a highly useful long CNT sheet. 【Solution means】A lamination drum having a cylindrical shape and formed with a slit-shaped discontinuous portion extending in a direction parallel to the axial direction on the outer periphery thereof for laminating CNT films, a first inner roll disposed in the hollow space of the lamination drum for winding a release film wound around the outer periphery of the lamination drum through the discontinuous portion, a second inner roll disposed in the hollow space for recovering and winding the release film wound around the outer periphery of the lamination drum through the discontinuous portion, and a substrate having a CNT forest attached thereto for adhering a CNT web to the release film wound around the outer periphery of the lamination drum, wherein the lamination drum is rotatably disposed so as to be able to laminate a CNT film obtained by laminating the CNT webs on the release film, and the second inner roll winds the CNT film together with the release film.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a long sheet made of carbon nanotubes, and and a method for manufacturing a long sheet made of carbon nanotubes.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, carbon nanotubes (CNT) have been known as tube-shaped nanomaterials composed only of carbon atoms (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Carbon nanotubes (hereinafter abbreviated as CNT) have attracted attention as next-generation carbon materials due to their thinness, lightness, and flexibility of the material.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] If it is possible to manufacture a long sheet made of carbon nanotubes (hereinafter abbreviated as a CNT long sheet) by utilizing the properties of CNT, a long sheet with high strength, light weight, and high flexibility can be obtained, and thus it can be used for various applications, and its usefulness is immeasurable.

[0005] In the present disclosure, the long CNT sheet means a long sheet that does not contain additives, adhesives, resins, etc., and is made substantially only of CNTs. The long sheet made substantially only of CNTs means a long sheet that does not intentionally use materials other than CNTs such as additives, adhesives, and resins in the manufacturing process. For example, it means a long sheet composed of 97% by mass or more and 100% by mass or less, preferably 98% by mass or more and 100% by mass or less of CNTs. Further, the long sheet means a sheet having a length of at least 50 m or more, preferably 100 m or more, more preferably 105 m or more, and particularly preferably 110 m or more. There is no particular limitation on the upper limit of the length, but it is, for example, 1000 m or less.

[0006] In order to manufacture a long CNT sheet, it is necessary to prepare a CNT web (the definition will be described later). The CNT web can be obtained, for example, from a CNT forest. The CNT forest refers to an aggregate of a plurality of CNTs provided on a substrate and oriented in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. In the CNT forest, the plurality of CNTs stand upright on the substrate. By pulling out a plurality of CNTs from the CNT forest in a sheet shape by the action of van der Waals forces, a CNT web can be obtained. Note that the web state (single layer) pulled out from the CNT forest is called a CNT web, and a CNT film is called a CNT film in which two or more layers of CNT webs are laminated.

[0007] However, it has been difficult to obtain a long CNT sheet made substantially only of CNTs. Although a non-long sheet made only of CNTs has been known, a method for manufacturing a long CNT sheet made only of CNTs has not been established.

[0008] Here, as a means for processing CNTs into a long sheet, a method of winding and laminating a CNT web on the circumferential surface of a cylindrical or tubular roll can be considered, but there is a problem that a long sheet having a length exceeding the circumferential length of the roll cannot be manufactured.

[0009] In this case, for example, to manufacture a long CNT sheet with a length of 100 m, a roll with a diameter of about 32 m is required, which lacks practicality. On the other hand, when manufacturing in a factory without forming it into a roll, a line corresponding to the length of the long CNT sheet is required, and this is also not practical in this case.

[0010] An object of the present invention is C to provide a manufacturing apparatus for a long CNT sheet and a manufacturing method for a long CNT sheet for efficiently manufacturing a long CNT sheet.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0011] That is, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides, for example, the following means. [1] A lamination drum having a cylindrical shape and formed with a slit-shaped discontinuous portion extending in a direction parallel to the axial direction on the outer periphery, for laminating a carbon nanotube film; A first inner roll disposed in the hollow space of the lamination drum and winding a release film that is wound around the outer periphery of the lamination drum through the discontinuous portion; A second inner roll disposed in the hollow space and recovering and winding the release film wound around the outer periphery of the lamination drum through the discontinuous portion; A substrate having a carbon nanotube forest attached thereto for adhering a carbon nanotube web to the release film wound around the outer periphery of the lamination drum and the lamination drum is rotatably arranged so that a carbon nanotube film formed by laminating the carbon nanotube web can be laminated on the release film, the second inner roll is characterized by winding the carbon nanotube film together with the release film, a manufacturing apparatus for a long carbon nanotube sheet. [2] The first inner roll and the second inner roll are each arranged such that the central axis of the first inner roll and the central axis of the second inner roll are located between the central axis of the laminated drum and the outer periphery of the laminated drum. This is the carbon nanotube long sheet manufacturing apparatus according to [1]. [3] The length of the outer periphery of the laminated drum is 1.5 m or more and 10 m or less. This is the carbon nanotube long sheet manufacturing apparatus according to [1]. [4] A method for manufacturing a carbon nanotube long sheet using the carbon nanotube long sheet manufacturing apparatus according to [1], comprising: A setting step of winding the release film set on the first inner roll around the outer periphery of the laminated drum and then fixing it to the second inner roll; A layer forming step of pulling out a carbon nanotube web from the carbon nanotube forest, rotating the laminated drum a plurality of times while bringing it into contact with the release film, and forming a carbon nanotube film in which the carbon nanotube webs are laminated on the release film; A cutting step of cutting the carbon nanotube film at the position of the non - continuous portion; A covering step of fixing one side of an additional release film having a length corresponding to 1 / n of the outer periphery of the separately prepared laminated drum at the position of the trailing ridge line located in the trailing direction of the rotation of the laminated drum at the non - continuous portion, and covering the carbon nanotube film with the additional release film; A winding step of winding the sandwich - shaped layer formed in the covering step, in which the carbon nanotube film is sandwiched between the release film and the additional release film, around the second inner roll. The method for manufacturing a carbon nanotube long sheet is characterized by including the above steps, and then repeating the layer forming step, the cutting step, the covering step, and the winding step in a plurality of cycles. [5] Immediately before the winding step of the n-th cycle, on the release film wound around the outer periphery of the laminated drum, in order from the end on the second inner roll side to the end on the first inner roll side of the discontinuous portion, a carbon nanotube laminated film in which n layers of the carbon nanotube film are laminated, a carbon nanotube laminated film in which n-1 layers of the carbon nanotube film are laminated,..., and the carbon nanotube laminated film composed of one layer of the carbon nanotube film are formed. In the carbon nanotube laminated film in which a plurality of layers of the carbon nanotube film are laminated, the carbon nanotube film formed in a new cycle is laminated as the layer goes up, which is the method for manufacturing a long carbon nanotube sheet according to [4]. [6] Immediately before the winding step of the second cycle of the method for manufacturing a long carbon nanotube sheet in which the additional release film has a length corresponding to half the circumference of the laminated drum. On the second inner roll side half circumference of the laminated drum, on top of the first layer of the carbon nanotube film formed in the first cycle, a two-layer carbon nanotube laminated film in which the second layer of the carbon nanotube film newly formed in the second cycle is laminated is formed. On the first inner roll side half circumference of the laminated drum, a single-layer carbon nanotube laminated film composed only of the first layer of the carbon nanotube film newly formed in the second cycle is formed, which is the method for manufacturing a long carbon nanotube sheet according to [5].

Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, C A long carbon nanotube sheet manufacturing apparatus and a long carbon nanotube sheet manufacturing method for efficiently manufacturing a long NT sheet can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

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Figure 6

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Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a long CNT sheet manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overview of the long CNT sheet manufacturing apparatus.

[0015] In the present disclosure, expressions representing relative or absolute arrangements such as "in a certain direction", "along a certain direction", "parallel", "orthogonal", "center", "middle", "concentric", or "coaxial" not only strictly represent such arrangements, but also include states in which there are tolerances or relative displacements with angles and distances that can obtain the same function.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the long CNT sheet manufacturing apparatus 2 includes a lamination drum 4, a first inner roll 6, a second inner roll 8, and a substrate 15 to which a CNT forest 16 is attached.

[0017] The laminated drum 4 is a cylindrical drum having a cylindrical hollow space 10 inside, and is provided with a slit-shaped discontinuous portion 12 extending in the axial direction and the parallel direction. The length of the outer periphery of the laminated drum 4 is preferably 1.5 m or more and 10 m or less, more preferably 2 m or more and 6 m or less, and even more preferably 2.5 m or more and 4 m or less from the viewpoint of workability. From the viewpoint of manufacturing a long CNT sheet with a small number of cycles, it is more preferably 6 m or more and 10 m or less, and even more preferably 8 m or more and 10 m or less. Further, the thickness of the laminated drum 4 is preferably 0.1 cm or more and 5 cm or less. Note that resins, metals, etc. are used as the material of the laminated drum 4.

[0018] A release film 13 made of paper, vinyl resin, etc. is wound around the outer periphery of the laminated drum 4, and a CNT web 14 is wound around the release film 13. The CNT webs 14 are usually laminated and laminated as a CNT film on the release film 13.

[0019] The laminated drum 4 is rotatably arranged such that the discontinuous portion 12 is located at a predetermined position on the outer periphery. Hereinafter, the case where the laminated drum 4 is rotatably arranged such that the discontinuous portion 12 is located at the top of the outer periphery will be described as an example. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, a first inner roll 6 and a second inner roll 8 are provided in the vicinity of the central axis X of the laminated drum 4 in the hollow space 10 of the laminated drum 4.

[0020] The first inner roll 6 is a cylindrical roll for winding the release film 13 fed out toward the outer periphery of the laminated drum 4. The size of the outer diameter of the first inner roll 6 is preferably 1 cm or more and 15 cm or less, more preferably 5 cm or more and 10 cm or less, and even more preferably 7 cm or more and 8 cm or less.

[0021] The second inner roll 8 is a cylindrical roll for recovering and winding the release film 13 on which the CNT film is laminated from the outer periphery of the laminated drum 4. The outer diameter of the second inner roll 8 is preferably 1 cm or more and 15 cm or less, more preferably 5 cm or more and 10 cm or less, and even more preferably 7 cm or more and 8 cm or less.

[0022] Here, the axial lengths of the first inner roll 6 and the second inner roll 8 are equal to those of the laminated drum 4. Also, the first inner roll 6 and the second inner roll 8 are arranged such that the central axis 6x of the first inner roll 6 and the central axis 8x of the second inner roll 8 are located between the central axis X of the laminated drum 4 and the outer periphery of the laminated drum 4.

[0023] Note that the central axis 6x of the first inner roll 6 and the central axis 8x of the second inner roll 8 are preferably located at the middle between the central axis X of the laminated drum 4 and the outer periphery of the laminated drum 4. Thereby, the winding amount of each inner roll can be maximized.

[0024] In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the first inner roll 6 and the second inner roll 8 are located symmetrically with respect to a straight line Y connecting the central axis X and the midpoint of the non - continuous portion 12. Also, the end portions on the axially - deep side of both the first inner roll 6 and the second inner roll 8 are fixed to the laminated drum 4 (not shown).

[0025] The CNT forest 16 is an aggregate of a plurality of CNTs provided on the substrate 15 and oriented in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate 15. In the CNT forest 16, the plurality of CNTs stand upright on the substrate 15. By pulling out a plurality of CNTs 11 from the CNT forest 16 in a sheet shape by the action of the van der Waals force, a CNT web 14 (a web state composed of a single layer) can be obtained. Note that a CNT film is a name for a product in which a plurality of layers of the CNT web 14 are laminated.

[0026] Next, with reference to the drawings, a method for manufacturing a long CNT sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which an additional release film 20 (details will be described later) having a length corresponding to half the circumference of the laminated drum 4 is used to wind the CNT film by half - circumferences to obtain a long CNT sheet in which two layers of CNT films are laminated.

[0027] First, as shown in FIG. 2, the operator sets the wound release film 13 on the first inner roll 6. Next, the release film 13 is fed out from the first inner roll 6, passed through the non - continuous portion 12, and wound around the outer periphery of the lamination drum 4 in the direction where the first inner roll 6 is located (counter - clockwise in FIG. 2). Then, the tip of the release film 13 is inserted into the hollow space 10 from the non - continuous portion 12 and fixed to the second inner roll 8. Further, in this state, the second inner roll 8 is rotated counter - clockwise in FIG. 2, and the release film 13 is wound around the second inner roll 8 (S1: setting step).

[0028] Here, as shown in FIG. 3, while rotating the lamination drum 4 counter - clockwise, the operator pulls out a plurality of CNTs 11 from the CNT forest 16 in a sheet form by the action of van der Waals forces and brings them into contact with the release film 13 wound around the outer periphery of the lamination drum 4. Thereby, first, a CNT web 14 (see FIG. 1) is formed on the release film 13.

[0029] Then, with the CNT web 14 in contact with the release film 13, the lamination drum 4 is rotated a plurality of times. Thereby, a first CNT film layer 17 in which a plurality of layers of CNT webs 14 are laminated is formed on the release film 13 wound around the outer periphery of the lamination drum 4.

[0030] For example, when manufacturing a long CNT sheet with a length of 100 m and a width of 1 m using a lamination drum 4 with an outer diameter of 1 m, first, with the CNT web 14 in contact with the release film 13, the lamination drum 4 is rotated 25 times. Thereby, a first CNT film layer 17 in which 25 layers of CNT webs 14 are laminated is formed on the release film 13 (S2: layer formation step).

[0031] Next, the operator uses a sharp instrument such as a knife to cut the first layer 17 of the CNT film laminated on the outer periphery of the laminated drum 4 at the position of the discontinuous portion 12 (S3: cutting step). As a result, the discontinuous portion 12 is exposed so that it can be visually recognized from the outside again. Here, the discontinuous portion 12 defines a groove sandwiching two ridge lines extending in the axial direction of the laminated drum 4. In the rotating direction of the laminated drum 4, the ridge line located in the leading direction of rotation is defined as the leading ridge line 22a, and the ridge line located in the trailing direction of rotation is defined as the trailing ridge line 22b (see FIG. 3).

[0032] Next, the operator prepares an additional release film 20 having a length corresponding to half the circumference of the laminated drum 4. The width of the additional release film 20 is the same as that of the release film 13 wound around the laminated drum 4 in the setting step (S1). As shown in FIG. 4, the operator attaches and fixes the short side of the additional release film 20 at the position of the trailing ridge line 22b of the release film 13, and covers the first layer 17 of the CNT film with the additional release film 20 (S4: covering step).

[0033] As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, on the outer periphery of the laminated drum 4, a sandwich-like layer 24 in which the first layer 17 of the CNT film is sandwiched between the release film 13 and the additional release film 20 is formed on the half circumference on the side of the second inner roll 8 (the right side in FIG. 5) of the laminated drum 4, and a base layer 19 in which the first layer 17 of the CNT film is laminated on the release film 13 is formed on the half circumference on the side of the first inner roll 6 (the left side in FIG. 5).

[0034] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the operator rotates the second inner roll 8 counterclockwise to wind up the release film 13. By continuously winding up the release film 13, the sandwich-like layer 24 is wound around the second inner roll 8 (S5: winding-up step). That is, the first layer 17 of the CNT film having a length corresponding to half the circumference of the laminated drum 4 (for example, the layers of the CNT web 14 for 25 layers) is wound around the second inner roll 8.

[0035] In this state, on the release film 13 wound around the outer periphery of the laminated drum 4, a single-layer CNT laminated film composed only of the CNT film first layer 17 is formed on the half circumference on the side of the second inner roll 8.

[0036] Hereinafter, the above-described layer forming step (S2), cutting step (S3), coating step (S4), and winding step (S5) are repeated in a plurality of cycles. Specifically, when creating a CNT long sheet with a length of 100 m, the layer forming step (S2), cutting step (S3), coating step (S4), and winding step (S5) are repeated 66 times.

[0037] Note that after the second cycle, the difference from the first cycle is that the carbon nanotube film second layer (hereinafter referred to as the CNT film second layer) described later is laminated on the CNT film first layer 17. Also, the CNT film first layer 17 and the CNT film second layer are collectively referred to as the CNT layer. Hereinafter, the flow after the second cycle will be described.

[0038] In the winding step (S5), when the rear end of the sandwich-like layer 24 in the winding direction approaches the non-continuous portion 12 (see FIG. 6), the operator, as shown in FIG. 7, pulls out the CNT 11 from the CNT forest 16 again and rotates the laminated drum 4 the same number of times as in the layer forming step (S2) of the first cycle while bringing it into contact with the CNT film first layer 17 formed on the release film 13 (S2: layer forming step). For example, if the laminated drum 4 was rotated 25 times in the layer forming step (S2) of the first cycle, the laminated drum 4 is rotated 25 times in the same manner.

[0039] As a result, on the release film 13 wound around the outer periphery of the laminated drum 4, on the half circumference on the side of the second inner roll 8 (the right side in FIG. 7), a CNT film second layer 26 is newly formed by laminating CNT webs 14 with the same number of laminations (25 layers in this embodiment) on top of the CNT film first layer 17 formed in the first cycle, and a CNT film first layer 17 is newly formed on the half circumference on the side of the first inner roll 6 (the left side in FIG. 7).

[0040] That is, the CNT film newly wound in the second cycle forms a second layer 26 of the CNT film laminated on the first layer 17 of the CNT film generated in the second cycle on the semi-circumference on the side of the second inner roll 8, and becomes a new first layer 17 of the CNT film on the semi-circumference on the side of the first inner roll 6. Note that on the semi-circumference on the side of the second inner roll 8, a two-layer CNT laminated film 28 composed of the first layer 17 of the CNT film and the second layer 26 of the CNT film is formed.

[0041] Here, a release film 13 is not disposed between the first layer 17 of the CNT film and the second layer 26 of the CNT film, and the first layer 17 of the CNT film and the second layer 26 of the CNT film are in direct contact. Therefore, when the lamination drum 4 is rotated 25 times in the layer forming step (S2), a CNT laminated film 28 in which 50 layers of the CNT web 14 are laminated is formed on the release film 13.

[0042] Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the operator cuts the first layer 17 of the CNT film newly laminated on the lamination drum 4 at the position of the non-continuous portion 12 (S3: cutting step).

[0043] Then, the operator attaches and fixes the short side of the additional release film 20 at the position of the trailing ridge line 22b of the release film 13 again, and covers the additional release film 20 on the second layer 26 of the CNT film (S4: covering step). Thereby, as shown in FIG. 9, on the outer periphery of the lamination drum 4, on the semi-circumference on the side of the second inner roll 8 (the right side in FIG. 9), a sandwich-like layer 29 in which the CNT laminated film 28 in which the first layer 17 of the CNT film and the second layer 26 of the CNT film are laminated is sandwiched between the release film 13 and the additional release film 20 is formed, and on the semi-circumference on the side of the first inner roll 6 (the left side in FIG. 9), a base layer 19 in which the first layer 17 of the CNT film is laminated on the release film 13 is formed.

[0044] Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the operator rotates the second inner roll 8 counterclockwise to wind up the release film 13. By continuously winding up the release film 13, the sandwich-like layer 29 is wound around the second inner roll 8 (S5: winding-up step).

[0045] In this state, on the release film 13 wound around the outer periphery of the laminating drum 4, a CNT laminated film of a single layer composed only of the first CNT film layer 17 is formed on the semi-circumference on the side of the second inner roll 8.

[0046] When the rear end of the sandwich-like layer 29 in the winding direction reaches the discontinuous portion 12, the process proceeds to the layer forming step (S2) of the third cycle. Here, as shown in FIG. 11, the operator again pulls out CNTs 11 from the CNT forest 16 and rotates the laminating drum 4 the same number of times as in the layer forming step (S2) of the second cycle while bringing them into contact with the first CNT film layer 17 formed on the release film 13.

[0047] As a result, on the release film 13 wound around the outer periphery of the laminating drum 4, on the semi-circumference on the side of the second inner roll 8 (the right side in FIG. 11), a second CNT film layer 26 is newly formed by laminating CNT webs 14 of the same number of laminations (25 layers in this embodiment) on top of the first CNT film layer 17 formed in the second cycle, and a new first CNT film layer 17 is formed on the semi-circumference on the side of the first inner roll 6 (the left side in FIG. 11).

[0048] That is, the newly wound CNT film in the third cycle forms a second CNT film layer 26 laminated on the first CNT film layer 17 generated in the second cycle on the semi-circumference on the side of the second inner roll 8, and forms a new first CNT film layer 17 on the semi-circumference on the side of the first inner roll 6. Note that on the semi-circumference on the side of the second inner roll 8, a two-layer CNT laminated film 28 composed of the first CNT film layer 17 and the second CNT film layer 26 is formed.

[0049] In the final cycle, after the winding process (S5), the next layer formation process (S2) is skipped and the cutting process (S3) is entered. That is, the CNT film first layer 17 laminated on the outer periphery of the lamination drum 4 is cut at the position of the discontinuous portion 12. Next, an additional release film 20 is laminated over the entire circumference of the lamination drum 4 on the CNT film first layer 17 (S4: covering process), the second inner roll 8 is rotated counterclockwise, and the release film 13 is wound up (S5: winding process).

[0050] As a result, a sandwich-like layer 24 in which the CNT film first layer 17 similar to that in the first cycle is sandwiched between the release film 13 and the additional release film 20 is wound around the second inner roll 8. After the operator removes the wound material wound around the second inner roll 8, the wound material is unwound to form a long strip.

[0051] Then, as shown in Fig. 12(a), a laminate 32 can be obtained in which both ends of the CNT laminated film 28 sandwich a long CNT laminated film 30 composed of the CNT film first layer 17 between the release film 13 and the additional release film 20. The laminate 32 is a structure in which a long CNT sheet 34 made of CNT (see Fig. 12(c)) is sandwiched between the release film 13 and the additional release film 20.

[0052] Here, the operator cuts the portions composed of the CNT film first layer 17 at both ends together with the release film 13 and the additional release film 20 to obtain a laminate 32 with a uniform thickness, as shown in Fig. 12(b). That is, the laminate 32 obtained here is a structure in which a long CNT sheet 34 made of CNT with a uniform thickness (see Fig. 12(c)) is sandwiched between the release film 13 and the additional release film 20.

[0053] The user cuts the laminate 32 with a uniform thickness to a predetermined length as needed each time, and then peels off the release film 13 and the additional release film 20 to obtain a long CNT sheet 34 composed only of the CNT laminated film 28, as shown in Fig. 12(c).

[0054] Here, the long CNT sheet 34 that constitutes the laminate 32 (see Fig. 12(a)) has a length of at least 50 m or more, preferably 100 m or more, more preferably 105 m or more, and particularly preferably 110 m or more. There is no particular limitation on the upper limit of the length, but for example, it is 1000 m or less, preferably 500 m or less. The width of the long CNT sheet 34 is not particularly limited, but for example, it is 10 cm or more and 5 m or less, preferably 50 cm or more and 4 m or less, and more preferably 1 m or more and 3 m or less. The long CNT sheet 34 has a length of 100 m or more, a width of 1 m or more, and a basis weight of 0.02260 mg / cm 2 or more and 170 mg / cm 2 or less, which is one of the preferred embodiments. The user may use it after cutting it into a desired length and shape.

[0055] There is no particular limitation on the use of the long CNT sheet 34. For example, it can be compounded with a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin to produce a prepreg, and by molding the prepreg, it can be used as an automotive member, a machine tool member, an aircraft member, a drone member, a sports and leisure member, a suitcase member, etc.

[0056] The basis weight of the long CNT sheet 34 may be set according to the purpose of the long CNT sheet, and there is no particular limitation. However, from the viewpoints of productivity, adhesiveness, etc., for example, it is preferably 0.0226 mg / cm 2 or more and 170 mg / cm 2 or less, more preferably 0.0339 mg / cm 2 or more and 85 mg / cm 2 or less, and even more preferably 0.0565 mg / cm 2 or more and 17 mg / cm 2 or less. The basis weight of the long CNT sheet 34 can be obtained, for example, by measuring the mass of a part or all of the long CNT sheet 34 with a mass meter and dividing the mass by the area of a part or all of the long CNT sheet 34.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, the layer forming step (S2), the cutting step (S3), the coating step (S4), and the winding step (S5) are repeated while collecting the sandwich-like layers 24 and 29 by half circumferences of the outer periphery of the laminated drum 4 to manufacture the long CNT sheet 34. However, the method for manufacturing the long CNT sheet is not necessarily limited to this cycle. For example, the layer forming step (S2), the cutting step (S3), the coating step (S4), and the winding step (S5) may be repeated while collecting the sandwich-like layers by one-third or one-fourth circumferences of the outer periphery of the laminated drum 4.

[0058] For example, when manufacturing the long CNT sheet 34 by repeating the layer forming step (S2), the cutting step (S3), the coating step (S4), and the winding step (S5) while collecting the sandwich-like layers by 1 / n circumferences of the outer periphery of the laminated drum 4, the operator prepares an additional release film 20 having a length corresponding to 1 / n circumferences of the outer periphery of the laminated drum 4 in the coating step (S4). The operator attaches and fixes the short side of this additional release film 20 at the position of the trailing ridge line 22b of the release film 13 and covers the CNT film second layer 26 with the additional release film 20. Then, the second inner roll 8 is rotated counterclockwise to wind up the release film 13 by 1 / n circumferences of the laminated drum 4 (S5: winding step).

[0059] Note that immediately before the winding step (S5) of the nth cycle, on the release film 13 wound around the outer periphery of the laminated drum 4, in order from the end on the second inner roll 8 side to the end on the first inner roll 6 side of the discontinuous portion 12, a CNT laminated film in which n layers of CNT films are laminated, a CNT laminated film in which n - 1 layers of CNT films are laminated,..., and the CNT film first layer 17 are formed. Here, the additional release film 20 is covered on the CNT laminated film in which n layers of CNT films are laminated.

[0060] For example, when n = 3, on the release film 13 wound around the outer periphery of the laminated drum 4, in order from the end on the second inner roll 8 side to the end on the first inner roll 6 side of the discontinuous portion 12, a three-layer CNT laminated film 28 in which a CNT film third layer, a CNT film second layer 26, and a CNT film first layer 17 are laminated, a two-layer CNT laminated film 28 in which the CNT film second layer 26 and the CNT film first layer 17 are laminated, and a single-layer CNT laminated film 28 composed only of the CNT film first layer 17 are formed.

[0061] And the top layer of each CNT film is formed by the CNT film newly wound in the nth cycle. The CNT film first layer 17 will itself be formed by the CNT film newly wound in the nth cycle.

[0062] Here, immediately before the winding step (S5) of the nth cycle, pick up the CNT laminated film in which n layers of CNT films are laminated and which is located at the end on the second inner roll 8 side of the discontinuous portion 12. Then, the top layer of the CNT laminated film is formed by the CNT film newly wound in the nth cycle, the second layer from the top of the CNT laminated film (if it exists) is formed by the CNT film newly wound in the (n - 1)th cycle, and the bottom layer of the CNT laminated film is the CNT film laminated in the first cycle [the (n - (n - 1))th cycle], that is, the CNT film first layer 17 is formed as the CNT laminated film.

[0063] Similarly, immediately before the winding process (S5) of the (n + 1)-th cycle, pick up the CNT laminated film with the n-layer CNT film laminated thereon, which is located at the end of the non-continuous portion 12 on the second inner roll 8 side. Then, the top layer of the CNT laminated film is formed by the CNT film newly wound in the (n + 1)-th cycle, the second layer (if it exists) from the top of the CNT laminated film is formed by the CNT film newly wound in the n-th cycle, and the bottom layer of the CNT laminated film is the CNT film laminated in the second cycle [the (n + 1 - (n - 1))-th cycle], that is, the first layer 17 of the CNT film is formed as the CNT laminated film.

[0064] Thus, on the outer periphery of the laminating drum 4, the CNT film formed in a new cycle is stacked on the CNT film formed in the previous cycle, and as it goes from the end of the non-continuous portion 12 on the second inner roll 8 side to the end on the first inner roll 6 side (counterclockwise), the lamination of the CNT laminated film increases from one layer to n layers. Therefore, in the CNT laminated film with a plurality of layers of CNT films laminated thereon, the CNT film formed in a new cycle is laminated as the layer gets higher.

[0065] Note that when taking 1 / n of the outer circumference, the preferable range of n is 2 to 6. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the laminating drum 4, the first inner roll 6, and the second inner roll 8 are rotated counterclockwise is exemplified, but of course, they may be rotated clockwise.

[0066] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the first inner roll 6 and the second inner roll 8 are cylindrical rolls is exemplified, but the first inner roll 6 and the second inner roll 8 may be cylindrical rolls.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, in the coating step (S4), the case where the short side of the additional release film 20 is attached and fixed to the position of the trailing ridge line 22b of the release film 13 is exemplified. However, it is not necessarily required that the short side be fixed to the position of the trailing ridge line 22b, and one side may be sufficient. For example, when the outer circumference length of the lamination drum 4 is short, or when the length of the additional release film 20 is short and the number of rotations of the lamination drum 4 is large, there is a possibility that the side fixed to the position of the trailing ridge line 22b is not the short side.

[0068] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the long CNT sheet 34 is formed by laminating 50 layers of CNT webs 14 is exemplified. However, the long CNT sheet 34 may be formed by laminating, for example, 20 or more layers and 10,000 or fewer layers of CNT webs 14. The number of layers of the CNT web 14 in the long CNT sheet may be set according to the use of the long CNT sheet, and there is no particular limitation. However, from the viewpoints of, for example, productivity and mechanical properties, etc., it is preferably 20 or more layers and 10,000 or fewer layers, more preferably 30 or more layers and 5,000 or fewer layers, and still more preferably 50 or more layers and 1,000 or fewer layers.

Explanation of Signs

[0069] 2 Long CNT Sheet Manufacturing Apparatus 4 Lamination Drum 6 First Inner Roll 6x Central Axis of the First Inner Roll 8 Second Inner Roll 8x Central Axis of the Second Inner Roll 10 Hollow Space 11 CNT 12 Discontinuous Portion 13 Release Film 14 CNT Web 15 Substrate 16 CNT Forest 17 First CNT Film Layer 19 Base Layer 20 Additional Release Film 22a Leading Ridge Line 22b Trailing Ridge Line 24, 29 Sandwich-like layers 26 Second CNT film layer 28 CNT laminated film 30 Long CNT laminated film 32 Laminate 34 Long CNT sheet Central axis of lamination drum 4 Straight line connecting central axis X and the midpoint of discontinuous portion 12

Claims

1. A lamination drum having a cylindrical shape and formed with a slit-shaped discontinuous portion extending in a direction parallel to the axial direction on the outer periphery, for laminating a carbon nanotube film, A first inner roll disposed in the hollow space of the lamination drum and winding a release film that is wound around the outer periphery of the lamination drum through the discontinuous portion, A second inner roll disposed in the hollow space and recovering and winding the release film wound around the outer periphery of the lamination drum through the discontinuous portion, A substrate with a carbon nanotube forest attached thereto for adhering a carbon nanotube web to the release film wound around the outer periphery of the lamination drum comprising: The lamination drum is rotatably arranged so that a carbon nanotube film obtained by laminating the carbon nanotube web can be laminated on the release film, The second inner roll winds the carbon nanotube film together with the release film, a carbon nanotube long sheet manufacturing apparatus.

2. The first inner roll and the second inner roll are each arranged such that the central axis of the first inner roll and the central axis of the second inner roll are located between the central axis of the lamination drum and the outer periphery of the lamination drum. The carbon nanotube long sheet manufacturing apparatus according to Claim 1.

3. The length of the outer periphery of the lamination drum is 1.5 m or more and 10 m or less. The carbon nanotube long sheet manufacturing apparatus according to Claim 1.

4. A method for manufacturing a carbon nanotube long sheet using the carbon nanotube long sheet manufacturing apparatus according to Claim 1, A setting step of winding the release film set on the first inner roll around the outer periphery of the lamination drum and then fixing it to the second inner roll, A layer forming step of pulling out the carbon nanotube web from the carbon nanotube forest, rotating the lamination drum a plurality of times while bringing it into contact with the release film, and forming a carbon nanotube film obtained by laminating the carbon nanotube web on the release film, A cutting step of cutting the carbon nanotube film at the position of the discontinuous portion One side of an additional release film having a length corresponding to 1 / n of the outer circumference of the laminated drum prepared separately is fixed at the position of the trailing ridge line located in the trailing direction of the rotation of the laminated drum in the discontinuous portion, and a covering step of covering the carbon nanotube film with the additional release film is performed. A winding step of winding the sandwich-like layer formed in the covering step, in which the carbon nanotube film is sandwiched between the release film and the additional release film, around the second inner roll. The method for manufacturing a long carbon nanotube sheet is characterized in that the layer forming step, the cutting step, the covering step, and the winding step are repeated in a plurality of cycles thereafter.

5. Immediately before the winding step of the nth cycle, on the release film wound around the outer circumference of the laminated drum, carbon nanotube laminated films in which n layers of the carbon nanotube film are laminated in order from the end on the second inner roll side to the end on the first inner roll side of the discontinuous portion, carbon nanotube laminated films in which n-1 layers of the carbon nanotube film are laminated, …, carbon nanotube laminated films composed of one layer of the carbon nanotube film are formed. The method for manufacturing a long carbon nanotube sheet according to claim 4, wherein in the carbon nanotube laminated film in which a plurality of layers of the carbon nanotube film are laminated, the carbon nanotube film formed in a new cycle is laminated as the upper layer.

6. Immediately before the winding step of the second cycle of the method for manufacturing a long carbon nanotube sheet in which the additional release film has a length corresponding to a half circumference of the laminated drum. On the half circumference of the laminated drum on the second inner roll side, a two-layer carbon nanotube laminated film is formed in which a second layer of the carbon nanotube film newly formed in the second cycle is laminated on the first layer of the carbon nanotube film formed in the first cycle. The method for manufacturing a long carbon nanotube sheet according to claim 5, wherein on the half circumference of the laminated drum on the first inner roll side, a one-layer carbon nanotube laminated film composed only of the first layer of the carbon nanotube film newly formed in the second cycle is formed.

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