Method and system for producing graphene and functionalized graphene
AssigneeNational Nanomaterials, Inc.
InventorGary W. Beall
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Abstract
This disclosure includes a process that unexpectedly can produce very inexpensive graphene, functionalized graphenes, and a new compound called graphenol in particulate or dispersions in solvents. The process can also produce graphene layers on metallic and nonmetallic substrates. Further, the graphenol, functionalized graphenes, and graphene can be utilized to form nanocomposites that yield property improvements exceeding anything reported previously.
Claims22
A process for making graphenol or functionalized graphenes, said processes comprising:
- extracting a humic acid solution from a carbonaceous material via a basic solution, said basic solution having a hydroxide concentration of at least approximately 0.005 moles per liter;
- and
- chemically reducing at least one of a carbonyl group portion and a carboxylic acid group portion of said humic acid solution, said chemically reducing comprising:
- placing said humic acid solution in a pressure reactor;
- adding a hydrogenation catalyst to said humic acid solution;
- purging said pressure reactor with an inert gas;
- charging said pressure reactor with hydrogen gas;
- heating said humic acid solution;
- and
- removing said hydrogenation catalyst from said humic acid solution,
- thereby producing a solution containing graphenol comprising the following general structure:
A process for making graphenol, said process comprising:
- extracting a humic acid solution from a carbonaceous material via either a basic solution or dimethylformamide;
- and
- chemically reducing a carboxylic acid portion of said humic acid solution with hydrazine thereby producing graphenol comprising the following general structure:
A process for making graphene, said process comprising:
- extracting a humic acid solution from a said carbonaceous material via a basic solution;
- coating a substrate with said humic acid solution and drying said coated substrate to form a film;
- pyrolytically reducing said film to graphene.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.