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Title: Method of producing nano-scaled graphene and inorganic platelets and their nanocomposites

Abstract

Disclosed is 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, and often between 0.34 nm and 1.02 nm. The method comprises: (a) subjecting the layered material in a powder form to a halogen vapor at a first temperature above the melting point or sublimation point of the halogen at a sufficient vapor pressure and for a duration of time sufficient to cause the halogen molecules to penetrate an interlayer space of the layered material, forming a stable halogen-intercalated compound; and (b) heating the halogen-intercalated compound at a second temperature above the boiling point of the halogen, allowing halogen atoms or molecules residing in the interlayer space to exfoliate the layered material to produce the platelets. Alternatively, rather than heating, step (a) is followed by a step of dispersing the halogen-intercalated compound in a liquid medium which is subjected to ultrasonication for exfoliating the halogen-intercalated compound to produce the platelets, which are dispersed in the liquid medium. The halogen can be readily captured and re-used, thereby significantly reducing the impact of halogen to the environment. The method can further include amore » step of dispersing the platelets in a polymer or monomer solution or suspension as a precursor step to nanocomposite fabrication.

Inventors:
 [1];  [1]
  1. Centerville, OH
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Nanotek Instruments, Inc., Dayton, OH (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1018033
Patent Number(s):
7892514
Application Number:
11/709,274
Assignee:
Nanotek Instruments, Inc. (Dayton, OH)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B82 - NANOTECHNOLOGY B82Y - SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES
C - CHEMISTRY C01 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY C01B - NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 2007 Feb 22
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE

Citation Formats

Jang, Bor Z., and Zhamu, Aruna. Method of producing nano-scaled graphene and inorganic platelets and their nanocomposites. United States: N. p., 2011. Web.
Jang, Bor Z., & Zhamu, Aruna. Method of producing nano-scaled graphene and inorganic platelets and their nanocomposites. United States.
Jang, Bor Z., and Zhamu, Aruna. Tue . "Method of producing nano-scaled graphene and inorganic platelets and their nanocomposites". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1018033.
@article{osti_1018033,
title = {Method of producing nano-scaled graphene and inorganic platelets and their nanocomposites},
author = {Jang, Bor Z. and Zhamu, Aruna},
abstractNote = {Disclosed is 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, and often between 0.34 nm and 1.02 nm. The method comprises: (a) subjecting the layered material in a powder form to a halogen vapor at a first temperature above the melting point or sublimation point of the halogen at a sufficient vapor pressure and for a duration of time sufficient to cause the halogen molecules to penetrate an interlayer space of the layered material, forming a stable halogen-intercalated compound; and (b) heating the halogen-intercalated compound at a second temperature above the boiling point of the halogen, allowing halogen atoms or molecules residing in the interlayer space to exfoliate the layered material to produce the platelets. Alternatively, rather than heating, step (a) is followed by a step of dispersing the halogen-intercalated compound in a liquid medium which is subjected to ultrasonication for exfoliating the halogen-intercalated compound to produce the platelets, which are dispersed in the liquid medium. The halogen can be readily captured and re-used, thereby significantly reducing the impact of halogen to the environment. 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.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Feb 22 00:00:00 EST 2011},
month = {Tue Feb 22 00:00:00 EST 2011}
}

Works referenced in this record: