초록 ▼

Carbon nanotube structures are disclosed in which nanotubes are disposed over a porous support such as a foam, felt, mesh, or membrane. Techniques of making these structures are also disclosed. In some of these techniques, a support is pretreated with a templated surfactant composition to assist wi

Carbon nanotube structures are disclosed in which nanotubes are disposed over a porous support such as a foam, felt, mesh, or membrane. Techniques of making these structures are also disclosed. In some of these techniques, a support is pretreated with a templated surfactant composition to assist with the formation of a nanotube layer.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A process of making a porous, carbon nanotube-containing structure, comprising: providing a support material having through-porosity; depositing seed particles on the support material to form a seeded support material; and heating the support material and simultaneously exposing the

We claim: 1. A process of making a porous, carbon nanotube-containing structure, comprising: providing a support material having through-porosity; depositing seed particles on the support material to form a seeded support material; and heating the support material and simultaneously exposing the seeded support to a carbon nanotube precursor gas to grow carbon nanotubes on the surface of the seeded support material. 2. The process of claim 1 further comprising the step of forming a surfactant templated solution and depositing the surfactant template solution over the support material. 3. The process of claim 2 wherein a metal oxide layer is deposited on the support before depositing the surfactant template solution. 4. The process of claim 3 wherein the metal oxide layer comprises alumina. 5. The process of claim 4 wherein the alumina layer is applied by chemical vapor deposition. 6. A porous carbon nanotube containing structure comprising: a large pore support having through porosity; and carbon nanotubes disposed over the large pore support; and further comprising a mesoporous silica film disposed between the large pore support and the carbon nanotubes. 7. A heat exchanger comprising a porous carbon nanotube containing structure comprising: a large pore support having through porosity; and carbon nanotubes disposed over the large pore support. 8. The heat exchanger of claim 7 comprising at least one microchannel wherein a porous carbon nanotube containing structure comprising: a large pore support having through porosity; and carbon nanotubes disposed over the large pore support, is disposed within at least one of said microchannels. 9. A method of making a carbon nanotube containing structure, comprising: providing a support; applying a surfactant template composition over the support; forming a solid, silica-containing layer from the surfactant template composition that adheres to the support; and growing carbon nanotubes on the silica-containing layer. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the support is a metal support and the surfactant template composition is dip coated onto the support. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the support comprises a metal foam. 12. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of depositing a metal oxide layer on the metal support prior to applying the surfactant template composition. 13. The method of claim 9 wherein the support is a ceramic support and the surfactant template composition is dip coated onto the support. 14. A microchannel heat exchanger comprising: at least one microchannel; and carbon nanotubes disposed within at least one of said microchannels. 15. The microchannel heat exchanger of claim 14 comprising a porous carbon nanotube containing structure comprising: a large pore support having through porosity; and carbon nanotubes disposed over the large pore support, disposed within at least one of said microchannels. 16. The microchannel heat exchanger of claim 14 comprising a mesoporous silica film disposed between a microchannel surface and said carbon nanotubes. 17. A filter comprising a porous carbon nanotube containing structure comprising: a large pore support having through porosity; and carbon nanotubes disposed over the large pore support. 18. A porous carbon nanotube containing structure comprising: a large pore support having through porosity; and carbon nanotubes disposed over the large pore support wherein the large pore support is a honeycomb or metal mesh. 19. A porous carbon nanotube containing structure comprising: a large pore support having through porosity; and carbon nanotubes disposed over the large pore support; further comprising mesoporous silica disposed within the large pores of the support, wherein the mesoporous silica substantially fills the large pores.