Microspheres and their methods of preparation

Abstract

Carbon microspheres are doped with boron to enhance the electrical and physical properties of the microspheres. The boron-doped carbon microspheres are formed by a CVD process in which a catalyst, carbon source and boron source are evaporated, heated and deposited onto an inert substrate.

Wherein we claim: 
     
         1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A method of forming boron-doped carbon microspheres comprising heating a carbon source and a boron source and a catalyst in a gas stream to a temperature effective to vaporize said sources and said catalyst thereby forming a reactant vapor mixture; and
 further heating said vapor mixture to a second temperature effective to cause said boron source and said carbon source to react and depositing boron-doped microspheres onto a substrate.   
     
     
         8 . The method claimed in  claim 7  wherein said gas stream comprises one of H2, N2, Ar, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method claimed in  claim 7  wherein said gas stream further includes NH3. 
     
     
         10 . The method claimed in  claim 7  further comprising contacting said microspheres with steam to activate said microspheres. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A fuel cell including a membrane;
 said membrane comprising an electron conducting resin in combination with boron-doped carbon microspheres.   
     
     
         14 . A catalyst structure comprising a layer of boron-doped carbon microspheres coated with a catalyst. 
     
     
         15 . The catalyst structure claimed in  claim 13  wherein said catalyst is a metal. 
     
     
         16 . The catalyst structure claimed in  claim 14  wherein said structure is an electrode in an electrolytic cell. 
     
     
         17 . A method of storing H2 with boron-doped carbon microspheres at superatmospheric pressure and at subambient temperatures, thereby causing said H2 to be absorbed into said microspheres. 
     
     
         18 . A hemoperfusion device having a filter;
 said filter comprising a layer of boron-doped carbon microspheres supported on a porous substrate.   
     
     
         19 . A delayed release composition comprising an active pharmaceutical composition adsorbed onto a boron-doped carbon microsphere. 
     
     
         20 . A photovoltaic device comprising a layer comprising a photoactive composition adsorbed onto boron-doped carbon microspheres. 
     
     
         21 . An electrical conductor formed from carbon microspheres claimed in claim  1 . 
     
     
         22 . The electrical conductor claimed in  claim 21  wherein said conductor is in a battery. 
     
     
         23 . The electrical conductor claimed in  claim 22  wherein said conductor is an electrode. 
     
     
         24 . The electrical conductor claimed in  claim 21  wherein said conductor comprises nano wiring.