Patent ID: 7938996
Filing Date: 2011-05-10
Classification: B82Y,C01B,C01P,C09C,D01D,D01F,H01G,Y02E,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A process comprising the steps of: a) dispersing nanofibers in a dispersion liquid that has a proton-donating ability that is below that of 100% sulfuric acid to form a dispersion of nanofibers, wherein the nanofibers are carbon nanofibers; b) providing a flocculation liquid, the liquid having a pH selected from the group consisting of acidic pH and basic pH, wherein the acidic pH is less than 3 and the basic pH is greater than 11; c) injecting the dispersion of nanofibers into the flocculation liquid such that flocculation occurs to yield a primary nanofiber assembly; d) infiltrating said primary nanofiber assembly with a polymer to form an infiltrated polymer prior to producing a secondary nanofiber assembly that is substantially free of a liquid; and e) substantially removing the flocculation liquid from the primary nanofiber assembly to yield the secondary nanofiber assembly that is substantially free of the flocculation liquid, wherein