Carbon nanotube material and method for the separation of liquids

Abstract

There is disclosed a material for separating a liquid from a mixture of at least two liquids, for example, for separating water from fuel. In one embodiment, the material comprises a fibrous substrate and carbon nanotubes, both of which have at least one functional group attached thereto. There is also disclosed a method for separating one liquid from another liquid using the disclosed material. In one embodiment, the method comprises flowing a mixture of liquids through the disclosed material, and either coalescing or separating at least one liquid by use of the carbon nanotubes.

1 . A material for separating at least one liquid from a mixture of at least two liquids, said material comprising:
 a fibrous substrate; and   carbon nanotubes,   wherein both said fibrous substrate and said carbon nanotubes have at least one functional group attached thereto.   
     
     
         2 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one functional group is chosen from hydroxyl, carboxyl, carboxylate, ether, ester, sulfo, sulfonyl, amide, amine, imine, ammonium, and silane groups, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The material of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one non-fibrous substrate material. 
     
     
         4 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein said fibrous substrate comprises a material chosen from mineral, organic, synthetic, and natural origins 
     
     
         5 . The material of  claim 4 , wherein said fibrous substrate comprises glass, polymer, or metal fibers, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein said fibrous substrate comprises a glass fiber and said functional group comprises silane. 
     
     
         7 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein said mixture of at least two liquids comprises water, oils, fuels, organic solvents or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The material of  claim 7 , wherein said fuels are comprised of gasoline, kerosene, aviation fuel, diesel, biodiesel, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The material of  claim 7 , wherein said organic solvents are comprised of hexane, benzene, toluene, chloroform or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein said material comprises said carbon nanotubes in an amount ranging from 0.1-20 wt %. 
     
     
         11 . A material for separating at least one liquid from a mixture of at least two liquids, said material comprising:
 a glass fiber substrate having at least one silane functional group attached thereto; and   carbon nanotubes having at least one silane functional group attached thereto,   wherein said material comprises said carbon nanotubes in an amount ranging from 0.1-10 wt %.   
     
     
         12 .- 22 . (canceled)