Method of creating carbon materials

Abstract

A method for making carbon materials includes evacuating a reaction chamber, filling the evacuated reaction chamber with a carbon-containing gas, and energizing a plurality of electrodes inside the reaction chamber to create an arc between a first electrode and a second electrode in the presence of the carbon-containing gas.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for making carbon materials comprising:
 evacuating a reaction chamber;   filling the evacuated reaction chamber with a carbon-containing gas; and   energizing a first electrode inside the reaction chamber to create an arc between the first electrode and a second electrode in the presence of the carbon-containing gas.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reaction chamber is filled with a carbon-containing gas to a gauge pressure of 0 PSI or greater. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reaction chamber is filled with a carbon-containing gas at a temperature of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein energizing the first electrode comprises applying greater than 10,000 volts DC across the first electrode and second electrode. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first electrode is energized for 5 seconds or greater. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first electrode is an anode comprising tungsten and the second electrode is a cathode comprising copper. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more copper substrates are electrically connected to the second electrode. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising removing carbon material from the one or more copper substrates after the first electrode and second electrode are energized. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon-containing gas comprises carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for making carbon materials comprising:
 a body defining a reaction chamber;   a lid configured to mate with the body to form a hermetic seal, the lid comprising a port for the passage of fluid and a plurality of electrical terminals;   an anode and a cathode positioned inside the reaction chamber, the anode and cathode electrically connected to the plurality of electrical terminals; and   a power source electrically connected to the electrical terminals.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the lid comprises a flange configured to mate with a flange on the body. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein each flange comprises through holes for receiving bolts to clamp the flanges together. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the power source is configured to provide DC current at 10,000 volts or greater. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the power source comprises a flyback transformer. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the anode comprises tungsten. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the cathode comprises copper. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising one or more copper substrates electrically connected to the cathode. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the anode and the cathode are spaced less than or equal to two inches from each other. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for making carbon materials comprising:
 a cylindrical body defining a reaction chamber, the body having a first flange around an upper opening of the body;   a lid having a second flange configured to mate with the first flange to form a hermetic seal, the lid comprising first hole for the passage of fluid and second hole for the passage of wires;   a manifold connected to the first hole, the manifold in fluid communication with first source comprising compressed carbon dioxide and a second source comprising a vacuum pump;   an anode and a cathode positioned inside the reaction chamber, the anode and cathode electrically connected to wires passing through the second hole;   an electrical power supply for providing electricity to the anode and cathode via the wires, the electrical power supply configured to provide at least 10,000 volts DC;   wherein the chamber has a radius of at least 4 inches and a length of at least 12 inches;   wherein the anode and cathode are each positioned at least 4 inches from a sidewall of the body; and wherein the anode and cathode are positioned at least 1 mm from each other.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising one or more copper substrates electrically connected to the cathode.