Patent
US 8,883,114PRODUCTION OF ULTRA-THIN NANO-SCALED GRAPHENE PLATELETS FROM MESO-CARBON MICRO-BEADS
Aruna Zhamu
US
Copyright © 2026 Matter42. All rights reserved.
Patent
Atlas literature
Patent
US 8,883,114Patent drawings and their descriptions. Click a drawing to enlarge it.
FIG.1 A flow chart showing the processes for producing ultra-thin graphite platelets (NGPs 30 with an average thickness typically thinner than 2 nm or 5 layers) …
FIG.2 Schematic of an apparatus that can be used to electro-chemically intercalate MCMBs.
FIG.3 (A) A scanning electron micrograph of MCMBs and (B) A transmission electron micrograph of several overlapped NGPs obtained from MCMBs.
Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
Listin g of Claims: Th is listing of claims will replace all prior versions, and listings, of claims in the SVG 12005015.09-11-2014.I044JRPIPXXIFW4.CLM.1.svg 0.17 6.17 Black and white words underlined are to be inserted)
The method of claim 1 wherein said graphene platelets comprise single graphene sheets, double-layer graphene sheets, or triple-layer graphene sheets.
The method of claim 1 wherein said graphene platelets have a length less than 100 rnm.
The method of claim 1 wherein said supply of MCMBs is obtained from a petroleum heavy oil or pitch, coal tar pitch, polynuclear hydrocarbon, or a combination thereof.
(Previously amended) The method of claim 1 wherein said supply of MCMBs is treated at a temperature in the range of 500 * C and 3,000 *C.
The method of claim 1 wherein said supply of MCMBs is obtained from heat- treating mesophase carbon spheres at a temperature in the range of 500 * C and 1,400 * C and said graphene platelets have a length smaller than 10 rnm.
The method of claim 1 wherein said supply of MCMBs is obtained from heat- treating mesophase carbon spheres at a temperature higher than 2,500 * C and said graphene platelets have a length greater than 350 nm.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalation u ses-a n includes interca l atin g an intercalate into said su pply of meso-carbon microbeads wherein said 3 intercalate is selected from an acid, an oxidizing agent, a mixture of an acid and an oxidizing agent, a halogen molecule or inter-halogen compound, a metal-halogen compound, an alkali metal, a mixture or eutectic of two alkali metals, an alkaline earth metal, an alkali metal-organic solvent mixture, or a combination thereof.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalation comprises using -an intercalating an intercalate into said supply of meso-carbon microbeads wherein said intercalate is selected from acetic acid, formic acid, or a carboxylic acid.
The method of claim 10 wherein said carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of aromatic carboxylic acid, aliphatic or cycloaliphatic carboxylic acid, straight chain or branched chain carboxylic acid, saturated and unsaturated monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids and polycarboxylic acids that have 1-10 carbon atoms, alkyl esters thereof, and combinations thereof.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalating comprises chemical intercalating, electrochemical intercalating, gaseous phase intercalating, liquid phase intercalating, supercritical fluid intercalating, or a combination thereof.
The method of claim 12 wherein said electrochemical intercalating SVG 12005015.09-11-2014.I044JRPIPXXIFW4.CLM.2.svg 0.74 6.62 Black and white MCMBs and a metal or graphite material for a duration of time sufficient for producing the interacted MCMBs.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalating is completed in 30 minutes or less.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalating is completed in 15 minutes or less.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of exfoliating said intercalated MCMBs com p rises ex p osing said intercalated MCMBs to a tem p erature in the range of 1 504 C to 1,100*C.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalation comprises SVG 12005015.09-11-2014.I044JRPIPXXIFW4.CLM.3.svg 0.17 6.61 Black and white said intercalated MCMBs comprises exposing said intercalated MCMBs to a temperature in the range of 150 * C to 300 *C.
The method of claim 1 further comprising a step of contacting at least a part of the exfoliated MCMBs with a liquid selected from water, methanol, ethanol, acetone, an organic solvent, or a combination thereof.
canceled
(Previously amended) The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalation consists of exposing said MCMBs to a gaseous or supercritical fluid environment at a first temperature and a first pressure and said step of exfoliation comprises subjecting said intercalated MCMBs to a second temperature and a second pressure, wherein said first temperature is different from said second temperature or said first pressure is different from said second pressure.
The method of claim 21 wherein said gaseous or supercritical fluid environment comprises carbon dioxide. 23-25
Materials described outside the worked examples.
nano-scaled graphene platelets (NGPs)
meso-carbon microbeads (MCMBs)
Additional fabrication and treatment steps described in the patent.
Measurements and analyses referenced in the patent, with their drawing references.
FIG.1 A flow chart showing the processes for producing ultra-thin graphite platelets (NGPs 30 with an average thickness typically thinner than 2 nm or 5 layers) …
Performance values and ranges asserted in the specification or claims.
| Property | Value | Material |
|---|---|---|
Duration | 10–120 s | — |
Duration |
Related documents with shared materials, methods, properties, or citations.
Patent
Atlas literature
Patent
US 8,883,114Patent drawings and their descriptions. Click a drawing to enlarge it.
FIG.1 A flow chart showing the processes for producing ultra-thin graphite platelets (NGPs 30 with an average thickness typically thinner than 2 nm or 5 layers) …
FIG.2 Schematic of an apparatus that can be used to electro-chemically intercalate MCMBs.
FIG.3 (A) A scanning electron micrograph of MCMBs and (B) A transmission electron micrograph of several overlapped NGPs obtained from MCMBs.
Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
Listin g of Claims: Th is listing of claims will replace all prior versions, and listings, of claims in the SVG 12005015.09-11-2014.I044JRPIPXXIFW4.CLM.1.svg 0.17 6.17 Black and white words underlined are to be inserted)
The method of claim 1 wherein said graphene platelets comprise single graphene sheets, double-layer graphene sheets, or triple-layer graphene sheets.
The method of claim 1 wherein said graphene platelets have a length less than 100 rnm.
The method of claim 1 wherein said supply of MCMBs is obtained from a petroleum heavy oil or pitch, coal tar pitch, polynuclear hydrocarbon, or a combination thereof.
(Previously amended) The method of claim 1 wherein said supply of MCMBs is treated at a temperature in the range of 500 * C and 3,000 *C.
The method of claim 1 wherein said supply of MCMBs is obtained from heat- treating mesophase carbon spheres at a temperature in the range of 500 * C and 1,400 * C and said graphene platelets have a length smaller than 10 rnm.
The method of claim 1 wherein said supply of MCMBs is obtained from heat- treating mesophase carbon spheres at a temperature higher than 2,500 * C and said graphene platelets have a length greater than 350 nm.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalation u ses-a n includes interca l atin g an intercalate into said su pply of meso-carbon microbeads wherein said 3 intercalate is selected from an acid, an oxidizing agent, a mixture of an acid and an oxidizing agent, a halogen molecule or inter-halogen compound, a metal-halogen compound, an alkali metal, a mixture or eutectic of two alkali metals, an alkaline earth metal, an alkali metal-organic solvent mixture, or a combination thereof.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalation comprises using -an intercalating an intercalate into said supply of meso-carbon microbeads wherein said intercalate is selected from acetic acid, formic acid, or a carboxylic acid.
The method of claim 10 wherein said carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of aromatic carboxylic acid, aliphatic or cycloaliphatic carboxylic acid, straight chain or branched chain carboxylic acid, saturated and unsaturated monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids and polycarboxylic acids that have 1-10 carbon atoms, alkyl esters thereof, and combinations thereof.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalating comprises chemical intercalating, electrochemical intercalating, gaseous phase intercalating, liquid phase intercalating, supercritical fluid intercalating, or a combination thereof.
The method of claim 12 wherein said electrochemical intercalating SVG 12005015.09-11-2014.I044JRPIPXXIFW4.CLM.2.svg 0.74 6.62 Black and white MCMBs and a metal or graphite material for a duration of time sufficient for producing the interacted MCMBs.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalating is completed in 30 minutes or less.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalating is completed in 15 minutes or less.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of exfoliating said intercalated MCMBs com p rises ex p osing said intercalated MCMBs to a tem p erature in the range of 1 504 C to 1,100*C.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalation comprises SVG 12005015.09-11-2014.I044JRPIPXXIFW4.CLM.3.svg 0.17 6.61 Black and white said intercalated MCMBs comprises exposing said intercalated MCMBs to a temperature in the range of 150 * C to 300 *C.
The method of claim 1 further comprising a step of contacting at least a part of the exfoliated MCMBs with a liquid selected from water, methanol, ethanol, acetone, an organic solvent, or a combination thereof.
canceled
(Previously amended) The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalation consists of exposing said MCMBs to a gaseous or supercritical fluid environment at a first temperature and a first pressure and said step of exfoliation comprises subjecting said intercalated MCMBs to a second temperature and a second pressure, wherein said first temperature is different from said second temperature or said first pressure is different from said second pressure.
The method of claim 21 wherein said gaseous or supercritical fluid environment comprises carbon dioxide. 23-25
Materials described outside the worked examples.
nano-scaled graphene platelets (NGPs)
meso-carbon microbeads (MCMBs)
Additional fabrication and treatment steps described in the patent.
Measurements and analyses referenced in the patent, with their drawing references.
FIG.1 A flow chart showing the processes for producing ultra-thin graphite platelets (NGPs 30 with an average thickness typically thinner than 2 nm or 5 layers) …
Performance values and ranges asserted in the specification or claims.
| Property | Value | Material |
|---|---|---|
Duration | 10–120 s | — |
Duration |
Related documents with shared materials, methods, properties, or citations.
Patent
Atlas literature
Patent
US 8,883,114Patent drawings and their descriptions. Click a drawing to enlarge it.
FIG.1 A flow chart showing the processes for producing ultra-thin graphite platelets (NGPs 30 with an average thickness typically thinner than 2 nm or 5 layers) …
FIG.2 Schematic of an apparatus that can be used to electro-chemically intercalate MCMBs.
FIG.3 (A) A scanning electron micrograph of MCMBs and (B) A transmission electron micrograph of several overlapped NGPs obtained from MCMBs.
Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
Listin g of Claims: Th is listing of claims will replace all prior versions, and listings, of claims in the SVG 12005015.09-11-2014.I044JRPIPXXIFW4.CLM.1.svg 0.17 6.17 Black and white words underlined are to be inserted)
The method of claim 1 wherein said graphene platelets comprise single graphene sheets, double-layer graphene sheets, or triple-layer graphene sheets.
The method of claim 1 wherein said graphene platelets have a length less than 100 rnm.
The method of claim 1 wherein said supply of MCMBs is obtained from a petroleum heavy oil or pitch, coal tar pitch, polynuclear hydrocarbon, or a combination thereof.
(Previously amended) The method of claim 1 wherein said supply of MCMBs is treated at a temperature in the range of 500 * C and 3,000 *C.
The method of claim 1 wherein said supply of MCMBs is obtained from heat- treating mesophase carbon spheres at a temperature in the range of 500 * C and 1,400 * C and said graphene platelets have a length smaller than 10 rnm.
The method of claim 1 wherein said supply of MCMBs is obtained from heat- treating mesophase carbon spheres at a temperature higher than 2,500 * C and said graphene platelets have a length greater than 350 nm.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalation u ses-a n includes interca l atin g an intercalate into said su pply of meso-carbon microbeads wherein said 3 intercalate is selected from an acid, an oxidizing agent, a mixture of an acid and an oxidizing agent, a halogen molecule or inter-halogen compound, a metal-halogen compound, an alkali metal, a mixture or eutectic of two alkali metals, an alkaline earth metal, an alkali metal-organic solvent mixture, or a combination thereof.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalation comprises using -an intercalating an intercalate into said supply of meso-carbon microbeads wherein said intercalate is selected from acetic acid, formic acid, or a carboxylic acid.
The method of claim 10 wherein said carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of aromatic carboxylic acid, aliphatic or cycloaliphatic carboxylic acid, straight chain or branched chain carboxylic acid, saturated and unsaturated monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids and polycarboxylic acids that have 1-10 carbon atoms, alkyl esters thereof, and combinations thereof.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalating comprises chemical intercalating, electrochemical intercalating, gaseous phase intercalating, liquid phase intercalating, supercritical fluid intercalating, or a combination thereof.
The method of claim 12 wherein said electrochemical intercalating SVG 12005015.09-11-2014.I044JRPIPXXIFW4.CLM.2.svg 0.74 6.62 Black and white MCMBs and a metal or graphite material for a duration of time sufficient for producing the interacted MCMBs.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalating is completed in 30 minutes or less.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalating is completed in 15 minutes or less.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of exfoliating said intercalated MCMBs com p rises ex p osing said intercalated MCMBs to a tem p erature in the range of 1 504 C to 1,100*C.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalation comprises SVG 12005015.09-11-2014.I044JRPIPXXIFW4.CLM.3.svg 0.17 6.61 Black and white said intercalated MCMBs comprises exposing said intercalated MCMBs to a temperature in the range of 150 * C to 300 *C.
The method of claim 1 further comprising a step of contacting at least a part of the exfoliated MCMBs with a liquid selected from water, methanol, ethanol, acetone, an organic solvent, or a combination thereof.
canceled
(Previously amended) The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalation consists of exposing said MCMBs to a gaseous or supercritical fluid environment at a first temperature and a first pressure and said step of exfoliation comprises subjecting said intercalated MCMBs to a second temperature and a second pressure, wherein said first temperature is different from said second temperature or said first pressure is different from said second pressure.
The method of claim 21 wherein said gaseous or supercritical fluid environment comprises carbon dioxide. 23-25
Materials described outside the worked examples.
nano-scaled graphene platelets (NGPs)
meso-carbon microbeads (MCMBs)
Additional fabrication and treatment steps described in the patent.
Measurements and analyses referenced in the patent, with their drawing references.
FIG.1 A flow chart showing the processes for producing ultra-thin graphite platelets (NGPs 30 with an average thickness typically thinner than 2 nm or 5 layers) …
Performance values and ranges asserted in the specification or claims.
| Property | Value | Material |
|---|---|---|
Duration | 10–120 s | — |
Duration |
Related documents with shared materials, methods, properties, or citations.
Patent
Atlas literature
Patent
US 8,883,114Patent drawings and their descriptions. Click a drawing to enlarge it.
FIG.1 A flow chart showing the processes for producing ultra-thin graphite platelets (NGPs 30 with an average thickness typically thinner than 2 nm or 5 layers) …
FIG.2 Schematic of an apparatus that can be used to electro-chemically intercalate MCMBs.
FIG.3 (A) A scanning electron micrograph of MCMBs and (B) A transmission electron micrograph of several overlapped NGPs obtained from MCMBs.
Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
Listin g of Claims: Th is listing of claims will replace all prior versions, and listings, of claims in the SVG 12005015.09-11-2014.I044JRPIPXXIFW4.CLM.1.svg 0.17 6.17 Black and white words underlined are to be inserted)
The method of claim 1 wherein said graphene platelets comprise single graphene sheets, double-layer graphene sheets, or triple-layer graphene sheets.
The method of claim 1 wherein said graphene platelets have a length less than 100 rnm.
The method of claim 1 wherein said supply of MCMBs is obtained from a petroleum heavy oil or pitch, coal tar pitch, polynuclear hydrocarbon, or a combination thereof.
(Previously amended) The method of claim 1 wherein said supply of MCMBs is treated at a temperature in the range of 500 * C and 3,000 *C.
The method of claim 1 wherein said supply of MCMBs is obtained from heat- treating mesophase carbon spheres at a temperature in the range of 500 * C and 1,400 * C and said graphene platelets have a length smaller than 10 rnm.
The method of claim 1 wherein said supply of MCMBs is obtained from heat- treating mesophase carbon spheres at a temperature higher than 2,500 * C and said graphene platelets have a length greater than 350 nm.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalation u ses-a n includes interca l atin g an intercalate into said su pply of meso-carbon microbeads wherein said 3 intercalate is selected from an acid, an oxidizing agent, a mixture of an acid and an oxidizing agent, a halogen molecule or inter-halogen compound, a metal-halogen compound, an alkali metal, a mixture or eutectic of two alkali metals, an alkaline earth metal, an alkali metal-organic solvent mixture, or a combination thereof.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalation comprises using -an intercalating an intercalate into said supply of meso-carbon microbeads wherein said intercalate is selected from acetic acid, formic acid, or a carboxylic acid.
The method of claim 10 wherein said carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of aromatic carboxylic acid, aliphatic or cycloaliphatic carboxylic acid, straight chain or branched chain carboxylic acid, saturated and unsaturated monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids and polycarboxylic acids that have 1-10 carbon atoms, alkyl esters thereof, and combinations thereof.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalating comprises chemical intercalating, electrochemical intercalating, gaseous phase intercalating, liquid phase intercalating, supercritical fluid intercalating, or a combination thereof.
The method of claim 12 wherein said electrochemical intercalating SVG 12005015.09-11-2014.I044JRPIPXXIFW4.CLM.2.svg 0.74 6.62 Black and white MCMBs and a metal or graphite material for a duration of time sufficient for producing the interacted MCMBs.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalating is completed in 30 minutes or less.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalating is completed in 15 minutes or less.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of exfoliating said intercalated MCMBs com p rises ex p osing said intercalated MCMBs to a tem p erature in the range of 1 504 C to 1,100*C.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalation comprises SVG 12005015.09-11-2014.I044JRPIPXXIFW4.CLM.3.svg 0.17 6.61 Black and white said intercalated MCMBs comprises exposing said intercalated MCMBs to a temperature in the range of 150 * C to 300 *C.
The method of claim 1 further comprising a step of contacting at least a part of the exfoliated MCMBs with a liquid selected from water, methanol, ethanol, acetone, an organic solvent, or a combination thereof.
canceled
(Previously amended) The method of claim 1 wherein said step of intercalation consists of exposing said MCMBs to a gaseous or supercritical fluid environment at a first temperature and a first pressure and said step of exfoliation comprises subjecting said intercalated MCMBs to a second temperature and a second pressure, wherein said first temperature is different from said second temperature or said first pressure is different from said second pressure.
The method of claim 21 wherein said gaseous or supercritical fluid environment comprises carbon dioxide. 23-25
Materials described outside the worked examples.
nano-scaled graphene platelets (NGPs)
meso-carbon microbeads (MCMBs)
Additional fabrication and treatment steps described in the patent.
Measurements and analyses referenced in the patent, with their drawing references.
FIG.1 A flow chart showing the processes for producing ultra-thin graphite platelets (NGPs 30 with an average thickness typically thinner than 2 nm or 5 layers) …
Performance values and ranges asserted in the specification or claims.
| Property | Value | Material |
|---|---|---|
Duration | 10–120 s | — |
Duration |
Related documents with shared materials, methods, properties, or citations.
intercalate (acid, oxidizing agent, halogen, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, etc.)
carboxylic acid intercalate (acetic acid, formic acid, or carboxylic acid)
carbon dioxide
CO₂
FIG.3 (A) A scanning electron micrograph of MCMBs and (B) A transmission electron micrograph of several overlapped NGPs obtained from MCMBs.
FIG.3 (A) A scanning electron micrograph of MCMBs and (B) A transmission electron micrograph of several overlapped NGPs obtained from MCMBs.
| 1–96 hours |
| — |
Duration | 30–60 seconds | — |
Duration | 2–5 hours | — |
Thickness | ≤ 1 nm | — |
Thickness | ≥ 10 nm | — |
Thickness | ≥ 50 nm | — |
Duration | ≥ 30 minutes | — |
Thickness | ≥ 350 nm | — |
Thickness | 2–10 nm | — |
Thickness | 2–150 nm | — |
intercalate (acid, oxidizing agent, halogen, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, etc.)
carboxylic acid intercalate (acetic acid, formic acid, or carboxylic acid)
carbon dioxide
CO₂
FIG.3 (A) A scanning electron micrograph of MCMBs and (B) A transmission electron micrograph of several overlapped NGPs obtained from MCMBs.
FIG.3 (A) A scanning electron micrograph of MCMBs and (B) A transmission electron micrograph of several overlapped NGPs obtained from MCMBs.
| 1–96 hours |
| — |
Duration | 30–60 seconds | — |
Duration | 2–5 hours | — |
Thickness | ≤ 1 nm | — |
Thickness | ≥ 10 nm | — |
Thickness | ≥ 50 nm | — |
Duration | ≥ 30 minutes | — |
Thickness | ≥ 350 nm | — |
Thickness | 2–10 nm | — |
Thickness | 2–150 nm | — |
intercalate (acid, oxidizing agent, halogen, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, etc.)
carboxylic acid intercalate (acetic acid, formic acid, or carboxylic acid)
carbon dioxide
CO₂
FIG.3 (A) A scanning electron micrograph of MCMBs and (B) A transmission electron micrograph of several overlapped NGPs obtained from MCMBs.
FIG.3 (A) A scanning electron micrograph of MCMBs and (B) A transmission electron micrograph of several overlapped NGPs obtained from MCMBs.
| 1–96 hours |
| — |
Duration | 30–60 seconds | — |
Duration | 2–5 hours | — |
Thickness | ≤ 1 nm | — |
Thickness | ≥ 10 nm | — |
Thickness | ≥ 50 nm | — |
Duration | ≥ 30 minutes | — |
Thickness | ≥ 350 nm | — |
Thickness | 2–10 nm | — |
Thickness | 2–150 nm | — |
intercalate (acid, oxidizing agent, halogen, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, etc.)
carboxylic acid intercalate (acetic acid, formic acid, or carboxylic acid)
carbon dioxide
CO₂
FIG.3 (A) A scanning electron micrograph of MCMBs and (B) A transmission electron micrograph of several overlapped NGPs obtained from MCMBs.
FIG.3 (A) A scanning electron micrograph of MCMBs and (B) A transmission electron micrograph of several overlapped NGPs obtained from MCMBs.
| 1–96 hours |
| — |
Duration | 30–60 seconds | — |
Duration | 2–5 hours | — |
Thickness | ≤ 1 nm | — |
Thickness | ≥ 10 nm | — |
Thickness | ≥ 50 nm | — |
Duration | ≥ 30 minutes | — |
Thickness | ≥ 350 nm | — |
Thickness | 2–10 nm | — |
Thickness | 2–150 nm | — |