Templated growth of graphenic materials

Abstract

A method is disclosed for producing graphenic materials by templated growth along a preformed graphenic material lattice edge, wherein at least one of the graphenic material or template is translated during growth of the graphenic material. A method for preparing CNTs from preformed CNT substrates in the presence of cylindrical templating structures and a reactive carbon source in a fluid phase is also disclosed, wherein at least one of the CNT substrate or the cylindrical templating structure is translated during addition of carbon atoms to the CNT substrate. A method is also disclosed for preparing CNTs from preformed CNT substrates in the presence of cylindrical templating structures and a carbon source in a fluid phase, wherein non-thermalized excited states are produced on the CNT substrate and at least one of the CNT substrate or the cylindrical templating structure is translated during addition of carbon atoms to the CNT substrate.

1 . A method for production of a structured material, comprising
 placing a preformed substrate in contact with a templating structure;   providing a reactive source of atoms from a fluid phase;   depositing atoms from the fluid phase to the preformed substrate; and   translating at least one of the preformed substrate and the templating structure during the depositing, while maintaining the contact, so as to grow the preformed substrate in to the structured material.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the structured material comprises a graphenic material. 
     
     
         3 . A method for production of a CNT, comprising
 placing a preformed CNT substrate open on at least one end in contact with a cylindrical templating structure;   providing a reactive source of carbon in a fluid phase;   depositing carbon from the fluid phase to the open end of said CNT substrate; and,   translating at least one of said CNT substrate and said cylindrical templating structure during the depositing, while maintaining the contact.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the cylindrical templating structure contacts the exterior of the CNT substrate. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein
 (a) the open end of the CNT substrate lies within the interior of the external templating structure,   (b) the open end of the CNT substrate is bonded to a nanoparticle, and   (c) the end of the CNT opposite that bonded to the nanoparticle is attached to an inert support.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein at least one metal atom selected from the group consisting of periodic table Groups 3-12, the lanthanide elements, and combinations thereof is bonded to the open end of the CNT substrate. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the metal atoms are attached to the CNT lattice edge by electrochemical deposition. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein an electric potential is applied to the CNT substrate. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the template structure has a lower electrical conductivity than the tip of the growing CNT substrate. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein a position-controlling structure contacts the exterior of each CNT substrate as it is translated. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein positional control of a CNT substrate is achieved by steps comprised of
 (a) positioning a wall structure completely penetrated by a SWCNT conduit between the inert support anchor point of the CNT substrate and the CNT substrate lattice edge, wherein
 (a1) a CNT substrate penetrates the wall structure, each through the interior of a SWCNT conduit, 
 (a2) said SWCNT conduits are larger than the CNT substrate they contain by at least one graphite lattice unit spacing, and 
 (a3) the inert support is capable of translational motion; 
   (b) growing the CNT substrate via templated growth from a fluid phase carbon source; and   (c) translating the grown CNT substrate through a SWCNT conduit.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein translation of the grown CNT substrate is achieved through a spooling motion. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein a CNT simultaneously functions as a growth substrate and template. 
     
     
         14 . A method for production of a CNT, comprising
 placing a preformed CNT substrate open on at least one end in contact with a cylindrical templating structure, wherein said CNT substrate
 contacts said cylindrical templating structure within thermal variation, and 
 aligns with said cylindrical templating structure in a coaxial fashion within thermal variation.