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Low-temperature method of producing nano-scaled graphene platelets and their nanocomposites

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1039761

A method of exfoliating a layered material to produce separated nano-scaled platelets having a thickness smaller than 100 nm. The method comprises: (a) providing a graphite intercalation compound comprising a layered graphite containing expandable species residing in an interlayer space of the layered graphite; (b) exposing the graphite intercalation compound to an exfoliation temperature lower than 650.degree. C. for a duration of time sufficient to at least partially exfoliate the layered graphite without incurring a significant level of oxidation; and (c) subjecting the at least partially exfoliated graphite to a mechanical shearing treatment to produce separated platelets. The method can further include a step of dispersing the platelets in a polymer or monomer solution or suspension as a precursor step to nanocomposite fabrication.

Research Organization:
Nanotek Instruments, Inc. (Dayton, OH)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Assignee:
Nanotek Instruments, Inc. (Dayton, OH)
Patent Number(s):
8,132,746
Application Number:
11/787,442
OSTI ID:
1039761
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (5)

The rise of graphene journal March 2007
Measurement of the Elastic Properties and Intrinsic Strength of Monolayer Graphene journal July 2008
Superior Thermal Conductivity of Single-Layer Graphene journal March 2008
Electric Field Effect in Atomically Thin Carbon Films journal October 2004
Graphite Nanoplatelet Reinforcement of Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibers journal January 2005