Patents

(36) Tour, James M.; Bahr, Jeffrey L.; Yang, Jiping “Process for derivatizing carbon nanotubes with diazonium species”, US, 7,250,147 July 31, 2007.  The invention incorporates new processes for the chemical modification of carbon nanotubes. Such processes involve the derivatization of multi- and single-wall carbon nanotubes, including small diameter (ca. 0.7 nm) single-wall carbon nanotubes, with diazonium species. The method allows the chemical attachment of a variety of organic compounds to the side and ends of carbon nanotubes. These chemically modified nanotubes have applications in polymer composite materials, molecular electronic applications and sensor devices. The methods of derivatization include electrochemical induced reactions thermally induced reactions (via in-situ generation of diazonium compounds or pre-formed diazonium compounds), and photochemically induced reactions. The derivatization causes significant changes in the spectroscopic properties of the nanotubes. The estimated degree of functionality is ca. 1 out of every 20 to 30 carbons in a nanotube bearing a functionality moiety. Such electrochemical reduction processes can be adapted to apply site-selective chemical functionalization of nanotubes. Moreover, when modified with suitable chemical groups, the derivatized nanotubes are chemically compatible with a polymer matrix, allowing transfer of the properties of the nanotubes (such as, mechanical strength or electrical conductivity) to the properties of the composite material as a whole. Furthermore, when modified with suitable chemical groups, the groups can be polymerized to form a polymer that includes carbon nanotubes.  William Marsh Rice University.  The present invention was made in connection with research pursuant to grant numbers NASA-JSC-NCC 9-77 from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; grant number NSR-DMR-0073046 from the National Science Foundation; and grant number N00014-99-1-0406 from the DARPA/ONR.

(35) Tour, James M.; Stewart, Michael P. “Method of making a molecule-surface interface”US 7,176,146 February 13, 2007. This invention is generally related to a method of making a molecule-surface interface comprising at least one surface comprising at least one material and at least one organic group wherein the organic group is adjoined to the surface and the method comprises contacting at least one organic group precursor with at least one surface wherein the organic group precursor is capable of reacting with the surface in a manner sufficient to adjoin the organic group and the surface. Assignee: William Marsh Rice University (Houston, TX); Appl. No.: 10/356,841, Filed: February 3, 2003; Current U.S. Class: 438/765; 438/767; 438/780; 438/99; Current International Class: H01L; Field of Search:21/31 (20060101) 438/765,767,769,780,99.

(34) Tour, James M.; Dyke, Christopher A.; Flatt, Austen K. Bulk separation of carbon nanotubes by bandgap. (William Marsh Rice University, USA). PCT Int. Appl. (2006), 74pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 2006096200 A1 20060914 CAN 145:338401 AN 2006:945006

(33) Tour, James M.; He, Jianli; Chen, Bo; Flatt, Austen K.; Stephenson, Jason J.; Doyle, Condell D. Metal-free silicon-molecule-nanotube testbed and memory device. (William Marsh Rice University, USA). PCT Int. Appl. (2006), 28 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 2006079005 A2 20060727 CAN 145:178993 AN 2006:736207

(32) Hybrid molecular electronic device for switching, memory, and sensor applications, and method of fabricating same. Tour, James M.; Pang, Harry F.; He, Jianli. (USA). PCT Int. Appl. (2006), 37 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 2006002129 A2 20060105

(31) Process for functionalization of carbon nanotubes in acidic media. Tour, James M.; Hudson, Jared L.; Dyke, Christopher R.; Stephenson, Jason J. (William Marsh Rice University, USA). PCT Int. Appl. (2005), 35 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 2005113434 A1 20051201

(30) Carbon nanotube-silicon composite structures and methods for making same. Tour, James M.; Dyke, Christopher A.; Maya, Francisco; Stewart, Michael; Chen, Bo; Flatt, Austen K. (William Marsh Rice University, USA). PCT Int. Appl. (2005), 45 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 2005114708 A2 20051201.

(29) Method of making a nanoscale electronic device. Pang, Harry F.; Tour, James M. (William Marsh Rice University, USA) US 6,946,336, granted 20 September 2005; filed 13 May 2003.

(28) Amplification of carbon nanotubes via seeded-growth methods. Smalley, Richard E.; Hauge, Robert H.; Barron, Andrew R.; Tour, James M.; Schmidt, Howard K.; Billups, W. Edward; Dyke, Christopher A.; Moore, Valerie C.; Whitsitt, Elizabeth; Anderson, Robin A.; Colorado, Ramon, Jr.; Stewart, Michael; Ogrin, Douglas C. (William Marsh Rice University , USA ). PCT Int. Appl. (2005), 44 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 2005085132 A2 20050915, Application: WO 2004-US34002 20041014. Priority: US 2003-511175 20031014; US 2004-587234 20040712; US 2004-598630 20040804.

(27) Thermal treatment of functionalized carbon nanotubes in solution to effect their defunctionalization. Tour, James M.; Dyke, Christopher A. ( William Marsh Rice University , USA ). PCT Int. Appl. (2005), 22 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 2005049488 A2 20050602, Application: WO 2004-US35894 20041028. Priority: US 2003-516392 20031031.

(26) Polymerization initiated at the sidewalls of carbon nanotubes. Tour, James M.; Hudson, Jared L.; Krishnamoorti, Ramanan; Yurelki, Koray; Mitchell, Cynthia A. ( William Marsh Rice University , USA ; University of Houston ). PCT Int. Appl. (2005), 24 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 2005030858 A2 20050407, WO 2004-US19769 20040621. Priority: US 2003-480348 20030620.

(25) Elastomers reinforced with carbon nanotubes. Tour, James M.; Hudson, Jared L.; Krishnamoorti, Ramanan; Yurekli, Koray; Mitchell, Cynthia A. ( William Marsh Rice University , USA ). PCT Int. Appl. (2005), 46 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 2005014708 A1 20050217, Application: WO 2004-US20108 20040623. Priority: US 2003-480643 20030623.

(24) Selective functionalization of carbon nanotubes. Strano, Michael S.; Usrey, Monica; Barone, Paul; Dyke, Christopher A.; Tour, James M.; Kittrell, W. Carter; Hauge, Robert H.; Smalley, Richard E. ( William Marsh Rice University , USA ; Board of Trustees of University of Illinois ). PCT Int. Appl. (2005), 33 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 2005012172 A2 20050210, Application: WO 2004-US24507 20040729. Priority: US 2003-490755 20030729.

(23) Flame retardant polymers, making monomers and polymers, and articles. Tour, James M.; Jurs, Joshua L.; Stephenson, Jason J. ( William Marsh Rice University , USA ). PCT Int. Appl. (2004), 38 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 2004113265 A1 20041229, Application: WO 2004-US19414 20040618. Priority: US 2003-480349 20030620.

(22) Use of microwaves irradiation to crosslink carbon nanotubes to facilitate polymer modification. Tour, James M.; Dyke, Christopher A.; Stephenson, Jason J.; Yakobson, Boris I. ( William Marsh Rice University , USA ). U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. (2004), 14 pp. CODEN: USXXCO US 2004222080 A1 20041111, Application: US 2003-738168 20031217. Priority: US 2002-434147 20021217.

(21) Method of making a nanoscale electronic device. Pang, Harry F.; Tour, James M.. ( William Marsh Rice University , USA ). PCT Int. Appl. (2004), 24 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 2004041712 A2 20040521, Application: WO 2003-US14959 20030513. Priority: US 2002-380000 20020513.

(20) Method of making a molecule-surface interface. Tour, James M.; Stewart, Michael P. ( William Marsh Rice University , USA ). U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. (2004), 12 pp. CODEN: USXXCO US 2004023479 A1 20040205 Application: US 2003-356841 20030203. Priority: US 2002-353120 20020201.

(19) Process for functionalizing carbon nanotubes under solvent-free conditions for application in molecular electronics. Tour, James M.; Dyke, Christopher A. (William Marsh Rice University, USA). PCT Int. Appl. (2004), 30 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 2004007364 A1 20040122, Application: WO 2003-US22072 20030715. Priority: US 2002-396373 20020716; US 2002-396371 20020716.

(18) Molecular electronic interconnects. Tour, James M.; Dirk, Shawn M. (USA). PCT Int. Appl. (2003), 51 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 2003032330 A2 20030417, Application: WO 2002-US23747 20020726. Priority: US 2001-308218 20010727.

(17) Molecular scale electronic devices. Reed, Mark A.; Tour, James M.; Chen, Jia; Rawlett, Adam M.; Price, David W. (Yale University New Haven, CT) United States Patent 6,756,605, June 29, 2004.

(16) Electrical potential-assisted assembly of molecular devices. Tour, James M.; Yang, Jiping; Allara, David L.; Weiss, Paul; Harder, Philipp. (William Marsh Rice University, USA). PCT Int. Appl. (2002), 42 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 0270789 A2 20020912 Application: WO 2002-US6509 20020304. Priority: US 2001-272895.

(15) Process for derivatizing carbon nanotubes with diazonium species and compositions thereof. Tour, James M.; Bahr, Jeffrey L.; Yang, Jiping. (William Marsh Rice University, USA). PCT Int. Appl. (2002), 45 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 0260812 A2 20020808 Application: WO 2002-US2562 20020129. Priority: US 2001-264784; US 2001-272903; US 2001-316501; US 2001-316521.

(14) Three-terminal field-controlled molecular devices. Tour, James M.; Mayer, Theresa. (Molecular Electronics Corporation, USA). PCT Int. Appl. (2002), 191 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 0235580 A2 20020502 Application: WO 2001-US45588 20011024. Priority: US 2000-242865. CAN 136:362502

(13) Sub-nanoscale electronic device conducting polymer interconnect technology. Reed, Mark A.; Tour, James M.. (Yale University, USA; University of South Carolina). U.S. (2001), 28 pp., Cont.-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 261,867, abandoned. CODEN: USXXAM US 6320200 B1 20011120 Application: US 96-595130 19960201. Priority: US 92-891605; US 94-261867.

(12) Molecular scale electronic devices. Reed, Mark A.; Tour, James M.; Chen, Jia; Rawlett, Adam M.; Price, David W. (Yale University, USA). PCT Int. Appl. (2001), 47 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 0127972 A2 20010419 Application: WO 2000-US25518 20000918. Priority: US 99-154716; US 99-157149; US 2000-527885; US 2000-551716.

(11) Molecular computer with molecules as logic gates and memory cells. Tour, James M.; Reed, Mark A.; Seminario, Jorge M.; Allara, David L.; Weiss, Paul S. (University of South Carolina, USA). PCT Int. Appl. (2000), 34 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 0044094 A1 20000727 Application: WO 2000-US1360 20000120. Priority: US 99-116714.

(10) Fire-resistant polymer compositions containing nonhalogenated aromatic boronic acids. Tour, James M.; Morgan, Alexander B. (University of South Carolina, USA). PCT Int. Appl. (2000), 32 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 0026288 A1 20000511

(9) Process for purifying fullerenes. Tour, James M.; Scrivens, Walter A.; Rawlett, Adam M. (University of South Carolina, USA). U.S. (1999), 7 pp. CODEN: USXXAM US 5904852 A 19990518. Application: US 97-838275 19970416

(8) Purification of fullerenes. Tour, James M.; Scrivens, Walter A.; Bedworth, Peter V. (University of South Carolina, USA). U.S. (1997), 6 pp., Cont.-in-part of U. S. 5,310,532. CODEN: USXXAM US 5662876 A 19970902 Application: US 94-238640 19940505. Priority: US 92-896193.

(7) Purification of fullerenes for selected molecular weights. Tour, James M.; Scrivens, Walter A.; Bedworth, Peter V. (University of South Carolina, USA). PCT Int. Appl. (1995), 20 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 9530624 A1 19951116 . Application: WO 95-US5288 19950428. Priority: US 94-238640.

(6) Sub-nanoscale electronic systems, devices and processes. Reed, Mark A.; Tour, James M.. (Yale University, USA; University of South Carolina). PCT Int. Appl. (1993), 134 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 9325003 A1 19931209 Application: WO 93-US5185 19930601. Priority: US 92-891605; US 92-893092

(5) Purification of fullerenes. Tour, James M.; Scrivens, Walter A.; Bedworth, Peter V. (University of South Carolina, USA). PCT Int. Appl. (1993), 14 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 9325473 A1 19931223 Designated States W: CA, JP, KR, RU. Application: WO 93-US5113 19930528. Priority: US 92-896193.

(4) Lithium-hexamethylphosphoramide-promoted synthesis of polyphenylenes. Tour, James M.; Stephens, Eric B. (University of South Carolina, USA). PCT Int. Appl. (1992), 24 pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 9200339 A1 19920109 Designated States W: CA, JP. Designated States RW: AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, ES, FR, GB, GR, IT, LU, NL, SE. Application: WO 91-US4332 19910618. Priority: US 90-543673.

(3) Silane compound for use in the synthesis of semiconducting polymers with perpendicular arranged cores. Tour, James M.; Wu, Ruilian; Schumm, Jeffry S. (University of South Carolina, USA). U.S. (1991), 5 pp. CODEN: USXXAM US 5059695 A 19911022 Application: US 90-492543 19900312.

(2) Ceramic materials, preparation of the same, and hydrogenation, and oxidation processes and catalysts using the same. Tour, James M.; Pendalwar, Shekar L.; Cooper, Joel P. (University of South Carolina, USA). U.S. (1991), 8 pp. CODEN: USXXAM US 5047380 A 19910910 Application: US 90-498802 19900323.

(1) Preparation of halospirobifluorenes for use in semiconducting polymers with perpendicularly arranged cores. Tour, James M.; Wu, Ruilian; Schumm, Jeffry S. (University of South Carolina, USA). U.S. (1991), 4 pp. CODEN: USXXAM US 5026894 A 19910625 Application: US 90-492549 19900312.