Background

Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) consist of a few layers of graphene stacked on top of each other. GNPs have exceptional mechanical, electrical and thermally conductive properties and, as such, are generating much interest in composites and other fields of materials science. However, current exfoliation techniques have significant limitations and don’t represent a scalable and cost-effective method of producing commercial quantities of GNPs.

Technology Overview

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.

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

Opportunity

Technology is currently at a bench scale. Seeking companies interested in further developing and commercializing the technology.

New Exfoliation Technique for Producing Graphene Nanoplatelets

Patents

IP Status

Seeking