Carbon nanotubes
posted on
Sep 17, 2014 08:14AM
Hydrothermal Graphite Deposit Ammenable for Commercial Graphene Applications
I have posted this patent reference in the past on another site, but the description is definitely worth a second read. Excellent description of the various types of graphite and a simple method for making single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT). These are essentially tubes of graphene that can be used for various purposes including making batteries and strengthening materials.
If you read what the Sri Lankian authors have tried you see that they have used flake and vein (or hydrothermal) graphite to produce the SWCNT by passing a current through a carbon anode and cathode. The anode and cathode were made of either vein or flake graphite and various combinations were used.
Only the vein-vein combination produced SWCNTs! The authors also state that SWCNTs (in 2010) sell for $US 500/g.
The production of SWCNTs is likely another area where ZEN's Albany deposit could be used and differentiates it from flake producers.