Large scale oxidized graphene production for industrial applications
AssigneeUniversity of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
InventorRichard Blair
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Abstract
Existing methods of producing high quality graphene/graphite oxides are generally accomplished by exfoliating graphite into flakes and oxidizing the graphite flakes with strong oxidizers under extreme conditions and require careful purification. The oxidizers are typically strong acids used in high concentrations at elevated temperatures requiring complicated purification processes to yield oxidized graphene/sheets. The existing processes can cost up to $12,000/gram. This invention uses a mild oxidant combined with mechanical processing where the sole products are oxidized graphite/graphene and water without the need for further purification.
Claims8
A method of making oxidized graphene, consisting essentially of:
- placing graphite into water containing an oxidizing agent, wherein the oxidizing agent is at least one of CO2, O2, steam, N2O, NO, NO2, O3, ClO2, or H2O2, at a concentration wherein the oxidation potential is less than 2V and wherein said oxidizing agent has an oxidation potential less than 2V;
- mechanically exfoliating in a mechanical milling apparatus the graphite into oxidized graphene flakes in the water containing the oxidizing agent, wherein the mechanical exfoliation is in an Attrition mill, a dry grind Attritor, a wet grind Attritor, a regular speed Attritor, a high speed Attritor, an Attritor, or a stirred media mill;
- and
- separating the oxidized graphene flakes from the water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.