Patent ID: 9308479
Filing Date: 2016-04-12
CPC Classification: B01D,B01J,B82Y,C01B,C01P,C02F,H01B,H01M,Y02E,Y10S

Claim Text:
1. A method of producing an aerogel or a xerogel having a covalently cross-linked carbon nanotube network, comprising: a) dispersing carbon nanotubes in a solvent compatible with said carbon nanotubes; b) cross-linking said carbon nanotubes with a linking molecule comprising at least two functional sites capable of reacting with the surface of said carbon nanotubes, to form a covalently cross-linked carbon nanotube network wherein said cross-linking is carried out directly to the nanotube sidewall with a linking molecule selected from the group consisting of bis(diazonium) salts, and multifunctional molecules suitable for 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions or Bingel condensations; or by the reduction of the carbon nanotubes followed by the reaction of the nanotubes with an electrophilic cross-linking molecule; and c) removing said solvent to form an aerogel or a xerogel having the covalently cross-linked carbon nanotube network with a solvent content of less than 10% by weight.