Graphene Nanoribbon Production via Carbon Nanotube Oxidation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing graphene nanoribbons are inefficient and result in irregular atomic structures, limiting the availability of macroscopic quantities with regular morphology.

Innovation Solution

The method involves reacting carbon nanotubes with oxidants, such as potassium permanganate, in the presence of acids and protective agents to longitudinally open them into oxidized graphene nanoribbons, which can then be reduced to form reduced graphene nanoribbons with specific functional groups, using processes like spin-coating or inkjet printing for applications in electronics and composites.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional methods (adhesive tape exfoliation, chemical exfoliation, CVD) are used to produce graphene, then graphene layers can be obtained, but only in picogram quantities with irregular atomic structure and kinked morphology

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequantity of grapheneVSAvoidatomic structure regularity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments carbon nanotubes into smaller units through controlled oxidative cleavage, transforming the rolled-up nanotube structure into flat graphene nanoribbon segments with regular atomic structure and straight edges, thereby achieving both macroscopic quantities and high structural precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical parameters by introducing controlled oxidation reactions that selectively cleave carbon nanotubes at specific positions, transforming the irregular kinked morphology into regular straight-edged graphene nanoribbons with controlled width and structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If carbon nanotubes are non-selectively opened by lithium intercalation, then multilayered graphitic structures are produced, but the process lacks selectivity and produces irregular graphene flakes and nanoribbons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidnanoribbon regularity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses oxidants as intermediary agents that selectively interact with carbon nanotube structures to produce regular graphene nanoribbons, providing controlled and selective transformation rather than non-selective opening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs strong oxidants to accelerate the oxidative cleavage of carbon nanotubes, enabling efficient production of regular graphene nanoribbons with high productivity while maintaining structural precision through controlled reaction conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

3Quantity of substance

If macroscopic quantities of graphene nanoribbons are produced by CVD, then large amounts of material are obtained, but the nanoribbons have multiple graphene layers with kinked morphology and irregular atomic structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemacroscopic quantity of graphene nanoribbonsVSAvoidnanoribbon morphology

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional approach by starting with pre-formed carbon nanotubes (which have regular structure) and selectively opening them to produce graphene nanoribbons, rather than attempting to directly form regular nanoribbons from scratch, thereby achieving both macroscopic quantities and regular morphology

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 approach enables the production of macroscopic quantities of graphene nanoribbons with improved regularity and conductivity, suitable for electronic devices, sensors, and composite materials, enhancing their mechanical and electrical properties.

Implementation Method 1

reacting the plurality of carbon nanotubes with at least one oxidant to form oxidized graphene nanoribbons. The at least one oxidant is operable to longitudinally open the carbon nanotubes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

reacting the oxidized graphene nanoribbons with at least one reducing agent to form reduced graphene nanoribbons

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReduction: Reduction

Data Source

PatentUS8703090B2Methods for preparation of graphene nanoribbons from carbon nanotubes and compositions, thin films and devices derived therefrom

Publication Date: 2014.04.22 WILLIAM MARCH RICE UNIVERSITY

AI summary

Methods for producing macroscopic quantities of oxidized graphene nanoribbons are disclosed herein. The methods include providing a plurality of carbon nanotubes and reacting the plurality of carbon nanotubes with at least one oxidant to form oxidized graphene nanoribbons. The at least one oxidant is operable to longitudinally open the carbon nanotubes. In some embodiments, the reacting step takes place in the presence of at least one acid. In some embodiments, the reacting step takes place in the presence of at least one protective agent. Various embodiments of the present disclosure also include methods for producing reduced graphene nanoribbons by reacting oxidized graphene nanoribbons with at least one reducing agent. Oxidized graphene nanoribbons, reduced graphene nanoribbons and compositions and articles derived therefrom are also disclosed herein.