(228b) Mass Production of Well Aligned Carbon Nanotubes and Carbon-Silicon Based Anode Materials By Fluidized Bed

As one of the nanomaterial representatives, one-dimensional carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possess extraordinary mechanical, electrical, thermal, optical properties, as well as controllable reactivity. This renders their broad applications in the fields of energy storage and transition, composites, heterogeneous catalysis, environmental protection, and drug delivery. This talk presents the chemical and engineering principles of CNTs mass production by fluidized bed. The detailed strategies for mass production of multi-walled CNTs, single-walled CNTs, CNT arrays as well as graphene/silicon anode material by multistage fluidized bed were presented. Meanwhile, the key engineering considerations in standardization, environment, health, and safety were analyzed, and their commercialization process was evaluated. During recent decades, CNT production capacity has reached more than thousands of tons per year, greatly decreasing the price of CNTs. The bulk applications for Li-ion battery, conductive nanocomposites, automotive, sporting goods have been achieved. Although the unique physiochemical properties of an individual CNT are stated repeatedly, manifestation of such unique properties in a macroscopic material, e.g., realization of high-strength CNT fibers, remains a great challenge. If such challenges are solved, many critical applications will be enabled. However, more efforts should be devoted on the chemical route for mass production and engineering route for commercialization of high performance CNTs, in order for versatile properties and applications. The basic research for CNTs production and application will flourish the nanotechnology industry for sustainable society.