Tuesday, July 13, 2010

US Patent 7754177 - Carbon nanoballoon

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7754177.html

Fullerene molecules such as single walled carbon nanotubes and C60 are formed of carbon atoms bonded to enclose a hollow space. This patent teaches a method of fabricating a carbon nanostructure which increases the volume of the hollow space relative to other fullerene nanostructures which may improve properties related to hydrogen storage and light absorption.

1. A method of producing a carbon nanoballoon structure having a hollow portion, comprising the step of

heating carbon black having a specific surface area of at least 1000 m2/g and a primary particle diameter of at least 20 nm to a temperature of at least 2000° C. in an inert gas atmosphere.

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