# US 2016/0257569 A1 · Methods and systems for preparing graphene

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- Number: US 2016/0257569 A1
- Document ID: US20160257569A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/030,583
- Filed: 2013-10-31
- Published: 2016-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2013-10-31
- Assignees: East China University of Science and Technology
- Applicants: East China University of Science and Technology
- Inventors: Chongjun ZHAO; Shudi MIN; Xiangmao DONG; Xiuzhen QIAN
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160257569A1

## CPC

- C01B 32/192: starting from graphitic oxides
- C01B 32/184: Preparation
- C01B 32/198: Graphene oxide
- C01B 32/23: Oxidation
- C01B: NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; {METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C}

## Abstract

Methods described herein generally relate to preparing graphene. The method may include contacting at least one elemental metal with a composition having graphene oxide under conditions sufficient to reduce at least a portion of the graphene oxide to graphene. Systems and kits for preparing graphene are also disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of preparing graphene, the method comprising:
contacting at least one elemental metal with a composition comprising graphene oxide; and
reacting the composition with substantially only the at least one elemental metal under conditions sufficient to reduce at least a portion of the graphene oxide to graphene.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one elemental metal is in the form of a metal powder, scrap metal, a metal block, or any combination thereof.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one elemental metal is zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), tin (Sn), zirconium (Zr), molybdenum (Mo), lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), cerium (Ce), titanium (Ti), or any combination thereof.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises graphene oxide in a solvent.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the solvent comprises water, an organic solvent, or a mixture thereof.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein the organic solvent comprises dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), tetrahydrofuran (THF), methanol, ethanol, acetone, or any combination thereof.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the reacting comprises reacting at a temperature of about 1° C. to about 99° C.

### Claim at position 8

-9. (canceled)

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the reacting comprises reacting at about atmospheric pressure.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the reacting comprises reacting for a period of about 5 minutes to about 24 hours.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
separating the graphene from the at least one elemental metal and the composition; and
drying the graphene.

### Claim 13

(canceled)

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the reacting comprises exposing the at least one elemental metal and the composition to a thermal field, microwave, light irradiation, laser, ultrasonic irradiation, magnetic field, plasma irradiation, or any combination thereof.

### Claim 15

(canceled)

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the reacting comprises reacting at a temperature of about 100° C. to about 250° C.

### Claim at position 16

-18. (canceled)

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the reacting comprises reacting for a period of at least about 24 hours.

### Claim 20 (depends on 12)

The method claim 12, further comprising washing the graphene.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20, wherein washing the graphene comprises washing with an acid.

### Claim at position 20

-36. (canceled)

### Claim 37 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the contacting and at least a portion of the reacting are performed substantially simultaneous.

### Claim 38 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the solvent consists essentially of water, an organic solvent, or a mixture thereof.

### Claim 39

A method of preparing graphene, the method comprising:
contacting at least one elemental metal with a composition, the composition comprising graphene oxide in a solvent; and
reacting the composition with the at least one elemental metal at an ambient temperature.

### Claim 40 (depends on 39)

The method of claim 39, wherein the reacting comprises reacting at a temperature of about 20° C. to about 40° C.

### Claim 41 (depends on 39)

The method of claim 39, wherein the reacting comprises reacting the composition with substantially only the at least one elemental metal.

### Claim 42

A method of preparing graphene, the method comprising:
contacting at least one elemental metal with a composition, the composition comprising graphene oxide in a solvent; and
reacting the composition with the at least one elemental metal at a temperature of about 150° C. to about 250° C.

### Claim 43 (depends on 42)

The method of claim 42, wherein the reacting comprises contacting at a temperature of about 150° C. to about 200° C.

### Claim 44 (depends on 42)

The method of claim 42, wherein the reacting comprising reacting the composition with substantially only the at least one elemental metal.