Polymer-wrapped single-wall carbon nanotubes

Abstract

The present invention relates to new compositions of matter and articles of manufacture comprising SWNTs as nanometer scale conducting rods dispersed in an electrically-insulating matrix. These compositions of matter have novel and useful electrical, mechanical, and chemical properties including applications in antennas, electromagnetic and electro-optic devices, and high-toughness materials. Other compositions of matter and articles of manufacture are disclosed. including polymer-coated and polymer wrapped single-wall nanotubes (SWNTs), small ropes of polymer-coated and polymer-wrapped SWNTs and materials comprising same. This composition provides one embodiment of the SWNT conducting-rod composite mentioned above, and also enables creation of high-concentration suspensions of SWNTs and compatibilization of SWNTs with polymeric matrices in composite materials. This solubilization and compatibilization, in turn, enables chemical manipulation of SWNT and production of composite fibers, films, and solids comprising SWNTs.

1 . A composition of matter comprising a single-wall carbon nanotube coated at least in part with at least one polymer molecule, wherein the polymer molecule is an amphiphilic polymer. 
     
     
         2 . A composition of matter in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the single-wall carbon nanotube is contacted by at least one polymer molecule at a plurality of points. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A composition of matter in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is water soluble. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A composition of matter in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties of said single-wall carbon nanotube are substantially the same as those of the single-wall carbon nanotube when uncoated. 
     
     
         7 . A composition of matter in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotube is coated with at least two different polymers. 
     
     
         8 . A composition of matter in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is a copolymer. 
     
     
         9 . A composition of matter in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of: polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), poly(1-vinyl pyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate) (PVP/VA), poly(1-vinyl pyrrolidone-coacrylic acid), poly(1-vinyl pyrrolidone-co-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate), polyvinyl sulfate, poly(sodium styrene sulfonic acid-co-maleic acid), dextran, dextran sulfate, bovine serum albumin (BSA), poly(methyl methacrylate-co-ethyl acrylate), polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, polyallyl amine and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         10 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A composition of matter comprising a single-wall carbon nanotube coated at least in part with at least one polymer molecule, wherein the coated carbon nanotube is encapsulated in a second polymer. 
     
     
         24 . A composition of matter in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein the second polymer is a polymer matrix. 
     
     
         25 . A composition of matter in accordance with  claim 24 , wherein the polymer matrix is selected from the group consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, polypropylene, nylon, polycarbonate, polyolefin, polyethylene, polyester, polyimide, polyamide, epoxy, phenolic resin and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         26 . A composition of matter comprising a plurality of single-wall carbon nanotubes each coated at least in part with a polymer molecule, wherein the polymer molecule is cross-linked. 
     
     
         27 .- 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A composition of matter in accordance with  claim 26 , wherein a first polymer molecule that coats a first single-wall carbon nanotube of the plurality of single-wall carbon nanotubes is cross-linked with a second polymer molecule that coats a second single-wall carbon nanotube of the plurality of single-wall carbon nanotubes. 
     
     
         31 . A composition of matter in accordance with  claim 26 , wherein a first polymer molecule that coats a first single-wall carbon nanotube of the plurality of single-wall carbon nanotubes is cross-linked with a second polymer molecule that coats the first single-wall carbon nanotube of the plurality of single-wall carbon nanotubes. 
     
     
         32 . A composition of matter in accordance with  claim 26 , wherein a first portion of a first polymer molecule that coats a first single-wall carbon nanotube of the plurality of single-wall carbon nanotubes is cross-linked with a second portion of the first polymer molecule. 
     
     
         33 . A composition of matter in accordance with  claim 26 , wherein the plurality of coated single-wall carbon nanotubes are encapsulated in a second polymer. 
     
     
         34 . A composition of matter in accordance with  claim 26 , wherein the plurality of coated single-wall carbon nanotubes are suspended in a polymer matrix. 
     
     
         35 . A composition of matter in accordance with  claim 26 , wherein the polymer matrix is selected from the group consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, polypropylene, nylon, polycarbonate, polyolefin, polyethylene, polyester, polyimide, polyamide, epoxy, phenolic resin and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         36 .- 65 . (canceled)