Expanded graphite and products produced therefrom
AssigneeBoard of Trustees operating Michigan State University
InventorsLawrence Drzal, Hiroyuki Fukushima
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Graphite nanoplatelets of expanded graphite and composites and products produced therefrom are described. The preferred method of expanding the graphite is by microwaves or other radiofrequency wave treatment of intercalated graphite. The expanded graphite is preferably then crushed to nanometer (substantially all 200 microns or less). The expanded graphite is used in polymer composites. The expanded graphite is particularly useful for batteries, anodes and fuel cells.
Claims25
A composite material which comprises:
- (a) expanded graphite wherein a precursor graphite containing a chemical has been expanded by heating with microwaves or radiofrequency waves to produce the expanded graphite and to at least in part vaporize the chemical;
- and
- (b) a polymer having the expanded graphite dispersed therein.
A composite material which comprises:
- (a) expanded graphite wherein a precursor graphite containing a chemical has been expanded by heating with microwaves or radiofrequency waves to produce the expanded graphite and to at least in part vaporize the chemical;
- and
- (b) a polymer having the expanded graphite particles dispersed therein, wherein the composite material contains up to about 50% by volume of the graphite.
(canceled)
A method for preparing a shaped composite which comprises:
- (a) providing a mixture of an expanded graphite wherein a precursor graphite containing a chemical has been expanded by heating with microwaves or radiofrequency waves to produce the expanded graphite and to at least in part vaporize the chemical and a polymer with the expanded graphite dispersed therein;
- and
- (b) forming the shaped composite material from the mixture.
A method for preparing a shaped composite material which comprises:
- (a) providing a mixture of an expanded graphite wherein a precursor graphite containing a chemical has been expanded by heating with microwaves or radiofrequency waves to produce the expanded graphite and to vaporize the chemical and a polymer with the expanded graphite dispersed therein, wherein the composite material contains up to about 50% by volume of the expanded graphite platelets;
- (b) forming the shaped composite material from the mixture.
(canceled)
In a battery containing ions the improvement in the anode which comprises a finely divided microwave or RF expanded graphite wherein a precursor graphite containing a chemical has been expanded by heating with microwaves or radiofrequency waves to produce the expanded graphite and to vaporize the chemical.
In a catalytic conversion of an organic compound to hydrogen with a catalytic material deposited on a substrate the improvement in the substrate which comprises a microwave or RF expanded graphite wherein a precursor graphite has been expanded by heating with microwaves or radiofrequency waves to produce the expanded graphite and to vaporize the chemical.
23-28. (canceled)
An expanded graphite which has been expanded by heating a graphite precursor containing a chemical with microwaves or radiofrequency waves to produce the expanded graphite and to vaporize the chemical.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.