Inexpensive synthesis at room temperature

The invention represents the means, methods and apparatus for low temperature electro-deposition of carbon nanoparticles on metal catalyst electrodes. It also provides details on mixing the organic solutions for immersion of the metal catalyst electrodes. Carbon nanostructures, such as nanotubes and nanofilaments, exhibit unique properties, including: extreme tensile strength, electron emission, and high thermal/electrical conductivity. Vast improvements are seen in technology and materials where carbon nanostructures are used, and as such they are extremely profitable. Currently the synthesis/creation of carbon nanostructures is both difficult and costly. This is the largest factor restricting the widespread implementation and use of the material. Chemical vapor deposition and carbon arc deposition are two of the most attractive methods for generating carbon nanostructures because of their simplicity. Unfortunately, they require very high temperatures, and are difficult to perform on a large scale.

Technical Details

Scientists at UCF have developed a method for synthesizing carbon nanoparticles using electrochemical deposition. This method makes use of metal catalyst coated silicon wafers as electrodes. Said electrodes are immersed in an organic electrochemical solution, and electro-deposition occurs at temperatures from 80°C to as low as room temperature. A minimal amount of current is required for this technique. It also produces carbon nanoparticles ranging in size from 2 to 10 nanometers and nanofilaments with diameters up to 200 nm and lengths of 50 nm.

Benefits

• Synthesizes carbon nanoparticles at room temperature
• Inexpensive, large scale production of carbon nanoparticles
• Used to produce various sizes of nanoparticles and structures

Applications

• Electronics
• Displays
• Composite materials
• Data storage

Additional Technology Numbers: 30117