Production of Carbon Nanochains and Nanotubes from Biomass

Researchers at GW have invented methods as to the production of carbon nanochains and nanotubes from biomass and other carbonaceous materials. The novel resulting carbon nanochains and nanotubes are highly porous, highly stable, and highly inexpensive. As a result of its porosity, lithium metal can be deposited onto the carbon nanochain material by various known methods which would allow for its effective use as an anode material in lithium metal or ion batteries. Second, sulfur or selenium can also be deposited due to its porosity which would allow for its effective use as a cathode material in lithium metal or ion batteries. As an anode material, the carbon nanochain material better inhibits lithium metal dendrite growth and as a cathode material, it better inhibits formation of polysulfide or polyselenide. The resulting carbon nanochain can also be used as a carrier or a substrate onto which catalysts can be deposited. Finally, the production methods invented are highly inexpensive in contrast to extant methods and this allows for a highly cost-effective, and this is a lucrative application in structural and conductive additive applications. Further, the carbon nanotubes that may be produced using this method can be extremely lengthy in comparison to those extant in the field. 

In one embodiment, a method to produce carbon nanochains or nanotubes can include a carbon-containing feedstock and a catalyst being synthesized to arrive at a carbon nanochain or a nanotube as applicable. The feedstock can be a biomass or a carbonaceous material or a combination of both while the catalyst can be a transition metal salt. A mixture ratio associated with the feedstock and the catalyst is also a novelty that has been disclosed.

Fig. 1 – Transition Electron Microscopy (TEM) Image purified carbon nanochains showing that the chains consist of connected carbon shell links

Fig. 2 - High resolution TEM image of carbon nanochains showing that the walls of the links in the chains are interconnected graphene multilayers

Applications:

Carbon Nanochains

• As anodes and cathodes in Lithium-Ion batteries
• As catalyst carriers
• As absorbents (for example, absorbing microwaves) or for water/gas treatment
• As replacements for carbon nanotubes in structural and conductive additive applications
• In capacitors

Carbon Nanotubes

• In structural and conductive additive applications

Advantages:

• High porosity as to the material
• Supports in inhibition of lithium metal dendrite growth in lithium metal batteries
• Supports in inhibition of polysulfide or polyselenide formations in lithium metal and ion batteries
• Highly cost-effective
• Production of lengthy carbon nanotubes in contrast to extant nanotubes