Anchored nanostructure materials and method of fabrication

Abstract

Anchored nanostructure materials and methods for their fabrication are described. The anchored nanostructure materials may utilize nano-catalysts that include powder-based or solid-based support materials. The support material may comprise metal, such as NiAl, ceramic, a cermet, or silicon or other metalloid. Typically, nanoparticles are disposed adjacent a surface of the support material. Nanostructures may be formed as anchored to nanoparticles that are adjacent the surface of the support material by heating the nano-catalysts and then exposing the nano-catalysts to an organic vapor. The nanostructures are typically single wall or multi-wall carbon nanotubes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An anchored nanostructure material comprising a plurality of nanoparticles disposed adjacent a surface of a support material, wherein at least some of the nanoparticles have a nanostructure attached thereto. 
     
     
         2 . The anchored nanostructure material of  claim 1  wherein the support material comprises powder particles having a diameter that ranges from about 0.5 microns to about 60 microns. 
     
     
         3 . The anchored nanostructure material of  claim 1  wherein the support material comprises powder particles having a diameter that ranges from about 10 nanometers to about 100 microns. 
     
     
         4 . The anchored nanostructure material of  claim 1  wherein the support material comprises a metal. 
     
     
         5 . The anchored nanostructure material of  claim 1  wherein the support material comprises Ni. 
     
     
         6 . The anchored nanostructure material of  claim 1  wherein the support material comprises Al. 
     
     
         7 . The anchored nanostructure material of  claim 1  wherein the support material comprises a ceramic. 
     
     
         8 . The anchored nanostructure material of  claim 1  wherein the support material comprises silicon dioxide. 
     
     
         9 . The anchored nanostructure material of  claim 1  wherein the support material comprises a cermet. 
     
     
         10 . The anchored nanostructure material of  claim 1  wherein the nanoparticles comprise iron. 
     
     
         11 . The anchored nanostructure material of  claim 1  wherein the nanostructures comprise carbon. 
     
     
         12 . An anchored nanostructure material comprising a plurality of nanoparticles disposed adjacent a surface of a support material, the support material comprising NiAl, and wherein at least some of the nanoparticles have a nanostructure attached thereto. 
     
     
         13 . The anchored nanostructure material of  claim 12  wherein the NiAl support material comprises powder particles having a diameter that ranges from about 0.5 microns to about 60 microns. 
     
     
         14 . The anchored nanostructure material of  claim 12  wherein the NiAl support material comprises powder particles having a diameter that ranges from about 10 nanometers to about 100 microns. 
     
     
         15 . The anchored nanostructure material of  claim 12  wherein the nanoparticles comprise iron particles. 
     
     
         16 . The anchored nanostructure material of  claim 12  wherein the nanoparticles comprise at least two of iron, cobalt, and nickel particles. 
     
     
         17 . The anchored nanostructure material of  claim 12  wherein the support material comprises NiAl powder particles and the nanoparticles are formed on the surface of the NiAl powder particles. 
     
     
         18 . The anchored nanostructure material of  claim 17  wherein the nanoparticles comprise iron particles. 
     
     
         19 . The anchored nanostructure material of  claim 17  wherein the nanoparticles comprise at least two of iron, cobalt, and nickel particles.