Graphene Production via Gas-Liquid Interface Plasma
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for producing graphene require high-temperature thermal processes or reduced-pressure-plasma techniques, leading to large and complex production apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a pair of electrodes immersed in a liquid organic compound, where AC voltage generates plasma across the gas-liquid interface to decompose the organic compound and produce graphene dispersion, which can be easily scaled down to room temperature and atmospheric conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-temperature thermal process or reduced-pressure-plasma technique is used to produce graphene, then graphene can be produced, but the production apparatus becomes large and complex requiring high-temperature heating apparatus or vacuum evacuation apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operating parameters from high-temperature/vacuum conditions to room temperature/atmospheric pressure conditions. By using AC voltage to generate plasma at the gas-liquid interface of a liquid organic compound, the process achieves graphene production without requiring high-temperature heating apparatus or vacuum evacuation apparatus, thus simplifying the production apparatus scale while maintaining graphene production capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a liquid organic compound as an intermediary medium. The liquid material serves as both the carbon source and the dispersion medium for graphene. By using this intermediary, the process eliminates the need for complex vacuum apparatus and high-temperature heating equipment, as the plasma generation occurs at the gas-liquid interface under atmospheric conditions
2Reliability
If conventional high-temperature or vacuum processes are used, then graphene can be produced, but the scale of production apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from high-temperature/vacuum parameters to room temperature/atmospheric pressure parameters. This parameter change enables the use of simple, easily scalable apparatus such as beakers and standard power supplies, eliminating the need for complex and large-scale vacuum chambers and high-temperature furnaces while maintaining effective graphene production
3Ease of operation
If liquid material with organic compound is used as carbon source, then carbon source feeding becomes easy and graphene disperses directly in liquid, but the process requires plasma generation across gas-liquid interface
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid organic compound acts as an intermediary that simplifies carbon source feeding and provides a dispersion medium for graphene. The plasma generation at the gas-liquid interface is achieved using simple AC voltage applied between electrodes, one immersed in the liquid and one above it, creating a straightforward setup that eliminates complex carbon delivery systems while maintaining effective graphene production and dispersion
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
Enables the production of graphene at room temperature and atmospheric pressure without high-temperature heating or vacuum equipment, allowing for easy carbon source feeding and direct dispersion in the liquid, resulting in efficient graphene powder formation.
Implementation Method 1
applying AC voltage between said pair of electrodes, to thereby generate a plasma across the gas-liquid interface; and decomposing the organic compound by the plasma
Data Source
AI summary
A graphene production apparatus 100 has a vessel 10 and, attached thereto, an immersion electrode 20 and a non-immersion electrode 30. The immersion electrode has an electrode covering 20c and an electrode main body 20e, and the non-immersion electrode has a covering 30c and an electrode main body 30e. An argon-feeding conduit 40 is disposed so as to inject argon into the vessel 10 around the electrode main body 30e. Ethanol is supplied in such an amount that the liquid surface completely covers the electrode main body 20e of the immersion electrode 20 and does not reach the electrode main body 30e of the non-immersion electrode 30. The electrode main body 20e is formed from, for example, iron, nickel, or cobalt.