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Scalable technique produces defect-free tunable graphene nanoplatelets from graphite and can be adapted to produce functionalized GNPs for improved dispersion and more.
About
Image is for illustrative purposes only and is licensed with CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ This exfoliation technology is a low-temperature, chemical & solvent-free, one-step, simple thermomechanical process that, at its current bench scale, produces defect-free GNPs at a rate of ~20g/hr. Inherently scalable, this process converts a high percentage of graphite to GNPs (~94%) and can be easily adapted to produce “functionalized” GNPs (i.e. GNPs with chemically modified surfaces for, as an example, improving dispersion within a polymeric phase). To date, GNPs with a specific surface area of 345 m2/g and aspect ratios as high as 500 have been produced, but the properties of the GNPs can be easily altered by adjusting the processing parameters. Testing of these GNPs in several different polymer systems has shown significant improvements in mechanical and electrical properties.
Key Benefits
Simple, low-temperature, chemical & solvent-free, one-step thermomechanical process Efficient, high yield Readily scalable and cost-effective Defect-free GNPs with ‘tunable’ properties Easy functionalization of GNPs
Applications
Polymer composites Batteries Additive Manufacturing Inks & coatings Sensors Lubricants