Gas-Phase Collision Exfoliation of Expanded Graphite
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for preparing graphene nanoplates, such as liquid ultrasonication and rheological shear stress, face limitations in solvent usage and result in nanoplates that often stick together, hindering the production of high-quality graphene for industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A method involving gas-phase high-speed collision, specifically turbulence inducing and supersonic expansion, is used to exfoliate, grind, or crack expanded graphite, producing graphene nanoplates with a thickness of 5 nm to 100 nm, which can be applied in composite materials and conductive layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If liquid ultrasonication or rheological shear stress methods are used to prepare graphene nanoplates, then the nanoplates can be produced, but the nanoplates stick together and solvent usage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces liquid-phase mechanical methods (ultrasonication, rheological shear) with gas-phase mechanical energy (high-speed jet collision) to exfoliate expanded graphite. This substitution eliminates solvent-related aggregation problems while maintaining effective nanoplate production through gas-phase kinetic energy transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the phase parameter from liquid to gas, using gas-phase high-speed jet collision instead of liquid-phase ultrasonication or shear stress. This parameter change fundamentally alters the interaction mechanism, preventing nanoplate aggregation by avoiding liquid-mediated adhesion while maintaining exfoliation effectiveness through controlled gas-phase kinetic energy.
2Ease of operation
If liquid-phase methods are used, then graphene nanoplates can be dispersed, but solvent evaporation is required to obtain powder
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces liquid-phase dispersion followed by evaporation with direct gas-phase mechanical exfoliation. The high-speed jet collision in gas phase directly produces free-flowing powder without requiring solvent mediation or subsequent evaporation steps, significantly reducing process time and simplifying operations.
3Ease of manufacture
If solid-phase mechanical cracking is used, then expanded graphite can be ground, but the produced nanoplates contact and stick together
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces solid-phase mechanical cracking with gas-phase high-speed jet collision. The gas-phase environment prevents nanoplate contact and adhesion during the cracking process, while the high-speed jet provides sufficient kinetic energy to effectively exfoliate the expanded graphite into free-flowing powder.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using high-speed gas jets to deliver mechanical energy for exfoliation. The gas flow carries kinetic energy to collide with and break apart expanded graphite particles, utilizing fluid dynamics to achieve mechanical cracking without solid-to-solid contact that causes adhesion.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method effectively produces high-quality graphene nanoplates with reduced wrinkling, enhancing their two-dimensional structure and enabling improved properties in composite materials and conductive layers, such as increased electrical conductivity.
Implementation Method 1
exfoliating, grinding, or cracking the expanded graphite by gas-phase high speed collision
Implementation Method 2
turbulence inducing and supersonic expansion, is used to exfoliate, grind, or crack expanded graphite
Implementation Method 3
turbulence inducing and supersonic expansion, is used to exfoliate, grind, or crack expanded graphite
Data Source
AI summary
A method for preparing graphene nanoplate (GNP) is provided and includes preparing expanded graphite (EG) and exfoliating, grinding, or cracking the expanded graphite to crack the EG induced by gas-phase-collision. A graphene nanoplate paste and a conductive coating layer formed of the graphene nanoplate paste are provided and are prepared by the method for preparing graphene nanoplate.