Mass Production of Carbon Nanostructures

Abstract

Carbon nanostructures are mass produced from graphite. In particularly preferred aspects, graphene is thermo-chemically derived from graphite and used in numerous compositions. In further preferred aspects, the graphene is re-shaped to form other nanostructures, including nanofractals, optionally branched open-ended SWNT, nanoloops, and nanoonions.

1 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method of producing an open-ended single-wall carbon nanotube the method comprising providing a graphene, and providing energy to the graphene to thereby form the open-ended single-wall carbon nanotube. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein providing energy to the graphene comprises heating the graphene to a temperature of between 200° C. and 600° C. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising placing the graphene under reduced pressure of between about 100 mbar and about 1 mbar prior to providing energy to the graphene. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein providing energy comprises providing radiant heat, providing induction heating or providing microwave heating. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the nanotube is open ended on both ends.