Method of producing exfoliated graphite, flexible graphite, and nano-scaled graphene platelets

Patent · Tue Nov 02 00:00:00 EDT 2010

OSTI ID:1017459

Zhamu, Aruna ^[1]; Shi, Jinjun ^[2]; Guo, Jiusheng ^[1]; Jang, Bor Z ^[1]

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1. Centerville, OH
2. Columbus, OH

The present invention provides a method of exfoliating a layered material (e.g., graphite and graphite oxide) to produce nano-scaled platelets having a thickness smaller than 100 nm, typically smaller than 10 nm. The method comprises (a) dispersing particles of graphite, graphite oxide, or a non-graphite laminar compound in a liquid medium containing therein a surfactant or dispersing agent to obtain a stable suspension or slurry; and (b) exposing the suspension or slurry to ultrasonic waves at an energy level for a sufficient length of time to produce separated nano-scaled platelets. The nano-scaled platelets are candidate reinforcement fillers for polymer nanocomposites. Nano-scaled graphene platelets are much lower-cost alternatives to carbon nano-tubes or carbon nano-fibers.

• Research Organization: Nanotek Instruments, Inc. (Dayton, OH)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Assignee: Nanotek Instruments, Inc. (Dayton, OH)
• Patent Number(s): 7,824,651
• Application Number: 11/800,728
• OSTI ID: 1017459
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English