SOLUTIONS OF CARBON NANOHORNS, METHOD FOR MAKING SAME AND USES THEREOF

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for solubilizing carbon nanohorns and applications thereof, including the manufacture of composites, hydrogen storage, catalyst supports and drug delivery. In certain embodiments, there is provided a method for solubilizing carbon nanohorns, said method comprising the following steps carried out under inert atmosphere: a) Reduction of pristine carbon nanohorns by an alkali metal to lead to a carbon nanohorn alkali salt; and b) Exposure of said carbon nanohorn alkali salt to a polar aprotic solvent to lead to a solution of reduced carbon nanohorns. In certain other embodiments, the present invention relates more particularly to solutions of carbon nanohorns, and individual carbon nanohorns obtainable by said method, as well as uses of such individual carbon nanohorns and solutions of carbon nanohorns.