US Patent 7576027 - Manufacture of carbide and oxycarbide catalysts from carbon nanotubes

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This patent from Hyperion Catalysis International teaches using carbon nanotubes in the formation of catalysts required for petroleum refining. The catalysts are taught to offer higher surface area, porosity, pore size distribution, and resistance to attrition in comparison to conventional catalysts. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for forming a catalyst composition comprising the step of reacting carbon nanotubes with a solid Q-containing compound at temperatures between 500° C. to 1000° C. to form a carbide composition QC or Q2C that substantially retains the original morphology of said carbon nanotubes, said solid Q-containing compound comprising a carbide forming element Q.