Purification of nanoparticles e.g. carbon nanotubes, by causing/allowing phase separation of first suspension into liquid crystalline suspension of purified nanoparticles and second suspension, and separating liquid crystalline suspension

NOVELTY - Purification of nanoparticles comprises preparing a first suspension of nanoparticles; causing or allowing phase separation of the first suspension into a liquid crystalline suspension of purified nanoparticles and a second suspension; and separating the liquid crystalline suspension of purified nanoparticles from the second suspension. USE - The method is for purification of nanoparticles to prepare purified nanoparticles comprising nanotubes and/or nanorods, i.e. longer nanotubes and/or nanorods having an average length between 500-10000 nm and an average aspect ratio between 16-70. The nanoparticles comprise carbon, boron nitride, titanium dioxide, tungsten(IV) sulfide, or metal, preferably gold or copper nanorods. The carbon nanotubes are optionally derivatized single wall or multiwall carbon nanotubes. (all claimed) ADVANTAGE - Purified, higher mesogenicity carbon nanotubes are obtained. DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for: (1) the purified nanoparticles; and (2) the use of differing liquid crystalline suspension forming ability properties of two types of nanoparticles in performing a separation of the nanoparticles.