Oxidized Carbon Nanotube Structures

Abstract

Provided are oxidized carbon nanotube structures including aggregates, networks, assemblages, rigid porous structures, electrodes, and mats. Oxidized carbon nanotubes may be formed by conducting gas-phase oxidation on carbon nanotubes. Gas-phase oxidation may be conducted by contacting carbon nanotubes with gas-phase oxidizing agents, such as CO 2 , O 2 , steam, N 2 O, NO, NO 2 , O 3 , ClO 2 , and mixtures thereof. Near critical and supercritical water can also be used as oxidizing agents. Oxidized carbon nanotube structures may include a plurality of oxidized carbon nanotubes along with a supported catalyst, which was used to grow carbon nanotubes prior to oxidation. The supported catalyst may be subjected to gas-phase oxidation and may remain with the oxidized carbon nanotubes in oxidized carbon nanotube structures.

1 - 60 . (canceled) 
     
     
         61 . A carbon nanotube structure, comprising:
 a plurality of oxidized carbon nanotubes; and   a supported catalyst, wherein the supported catalyst is a carbon nanotube growing catalyst.   
     
     
         62 . The carbon nanotube structure of  claim 61 , wherein the plurality of oxidized carbon nanotubes comprise a plurality of oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and wherein the supported catalyst comprises a catalyst used to form the multiwalled carbon nanotubes of the oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes. 
     
     
         63 . The carbon nanotube structure of  claim 61 , wherein the carbon nanotube structure comprises a carbon nanotube aggregate,
 wherein at least one of the plurality of oxidized carbon nanotubes and a portion of the supported catalyst are adjacent, and   wherein a portion of the at least one oxidized carbon nanotubes located adjacent to the supported catalyst is not oxidized.   
     
     
         64 . The carbon nanotube structure of  claim 61 , wherein the plurality of oxidized carbon nanotubes is oxidized by a gas-phase oxidizing agent selected from the group consisting of CO 2 , O 2 , steam, H 2 O, N 2 O, NO, NO 2 , O 3 , ClO 2 , and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         65 . The carbon nanotube structure of  claim 61 , further comprising secondary functionalized groups on at least one of the plurality of oxidized carbon nanotubes. 
     
     
         66 . The carbon nanotube structure of  claim 65 , wherein the carbon nanotube structure comprises crosslinks between at least two of the plurality of oxidized carbon nanotubes at the secondary functionalized groups. 
     
     
         67 . The carbon nanotube structure of  claim 61 , wherein the carbon nanotube structure comprises a network of oxidized carbon nanotubes with supported catalyst therein. 
     
     
         68 . The carbon nanotube structure of  claim 61 , further comprising a gluing agent located within the carbon nanotube structure. 
     
     
         69 . The carbon nanotube structure of  claim 61 , further comprising a plurality of particulate solids within the carbon nanotube structure. 
     
     
         70 . A carbon nanotube network, comprising:
 a plurality of oxidized carbon nanotubes;   bonds between at least two of the plurality of oxidized carbon nanotubes; and   a supported catalyst, wherein the supported catalyst is a carbon nanotube growing catalyst.   
     
     
         71 . The carbon nanotube network of  claim 70 , wherein the plurality of oxidized carbon nanotubes comprise a plurality of oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and wherein the supported catalyst comprises a catalyst used to form the multiwalled carbon nanotubes of the oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes. 
     
     
         72 . The carbon nanotube network of  claim 70 , further comprising a gluing agent, wherein the gluing agent forms the bonds between the at least two of the plurality of oxidized carbon nanotubes. 
     
     
         73 . The carbon nanotube network of  claim 72 , wherein the gluing agent is selected from the group consisting of cellulose, carbohydrate, polyethylene, polystyrene, nylon, polyurethane, polyester, polyamides, and phenolic resins. 
     
     
         74 . The carbon nanotube network of  claim 70 , wherein the bonds between the at least two of the plurality of oxidized carbon nanotubes comprises crosslinks between the least two of the plurality of oxidized carbon nanotubes. 
     
     
         75 . A carbon nanotube assemblage, comprising:
 a plurality of unoxidized carbon nanotubes;   a plurality of oxidized carbon nanotubes;   a supported catalyst, wherein the supported catalyst is a carbon nanotube growing catalyst; and   a polymer.   
     
     
         76 . The carbon nanotube assemblage of  claim 75 , wherein the plurality of unoxidized carbon nanotubes comprises a plurality of unoxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes,
 wherein the plurality of oxidized carbon nanotubes comprise a plurality of oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and   wherein the supported catalyst comprises a catalyst used to form the unoxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes and/or multiwalled carbon nanotubes of the oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes.   
     
     
         77 . The carbon nanotube assemblage of  claim 75 , wherein the carbon nanotube assemblage has a density of about 0.4 to 1.2 g/cc. 
     
     
         78 . The carbon nanotube assemblage of  claim 75 , wherein the carbon nanotube assemblage comprises a mat with a density of 1.0 to 1.2 g/cc and/or a surface area of about 275 m 2 /g. 
     
     
         79 . The carbon nanotube assemblage of  claim 75 , wherein the carbon nanotube assemblage comprises a rigid porous structure with a density of 0.7 to 0.9 g/cc and/or a surface area of about 400 m 2 /g. 
     
     
         80 . The carbon nanotube assemblage of  claim 75 , wherein the carbon nanotube assemblage comprises an electrode with a density of at least 0.4 g/cc and/or a capacitance of about 40 F/g.