Systems and Methods for Formation and Harvesting of Nanofibrous Materials

摘要

A system that receives nanomaterials, forms nanofibrous materials therefrom, and collects these nanofibrous materials for subsequent applications. The system is coupled to a chamber that generates nanomaterials, typically carbon nanotubes produced from chemical vapor deposition, and includes a mechanism for spinning the nanotubes into yarns or tows. Alternatively, the system includes a mechanism for forming non-woven sheets from the nanotubes. The system also includes components for collecting the formed nanofibrous materials. Methods for forming and collecting the nanofibrous materials are also provided.

主权项

1. A non-woven sheet material comprising:
a first layer of nanotubes arranged in an intermingled and overlapping fashion with one another; a second layer of nanotubes arranged in an intermingled and overlapping fashion with one another, the second layer of nanotubes being deposited on top of the first layer of nanotubes such that at least some of the nanotubes of the second layer overlap with at least some of the nanotubes of the first layer; and a bond at contact sites between adjacent overlapping nanotubes in the first and second layers, and at contact sites between the nanotubes of the first layer that overlap with the nanotubes of the second layer; wherein the bond interconnects the individual nanotubes of each layer, and the layers to one another, to form a substantially planar body with sufficient structural integrity to be handled as a sheet absent support form a substrate or binder.