Graphene Platelet Fabrication via Shear Exfoliation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for mass-producing graphene platelets damage the planar hexagonal network structure, resulting in imperfect physical properties and inability to fabricate large-area graphene platelets efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A method using a shear force, either dry-type or wet-type, to separate highly-graphitized graphene into graphene platelets without damaging the structure, with the shear force being greater than the bonding force between the platelets, allowing for the production of large-area graphene platelets with a perfect planar hexagonal network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional high temperature and high pressure methods are used to rearrange carbon atoms, then graphene can be mass-fabricated, but the planar hexagonal network structure cannot be extended to large areas and becomes imperfect

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemass-fabrication efficiencyVSAvoidplanar hexagonal network structure perfection

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary graphitization treatment to graphite particles before exfoliation, rearranging carbon atoms into a perfect planar hexagonal network structure in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when the graphite is later exfoliated into graphene platelets, the large-area structure and hexagonal network perfection are preserved, resolving the contradiction between mass-fabrication efficiency and structural quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If explosion method or chemical-exfoliation method is used to separate graphite into graphene platelets, then separation is achieved, but the planar hexagonal network structure is damaged and physical properties degrade

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation capabilityVSAvoidphysical properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional explosion method or chemical-exfoliation method with a mechanical exfoliation method using a shear force exfoliator. This mechanical approach separates graphite into graphene platelets through controlled shear forces that overcome the van der Waals bonding between layers without causing the structural damage associated with explosion or chemical methods, thereby preserving the planar hexagonal network structure and physical properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Quantity of substance

If conventional methods are used to separate graphite, then graphene platelets are produced, but large-area graphene platelets with perfect structure cannot be fabricated efficiently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegraphene platelet productionVSAvoidgraphene platelet area

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary graphitization treatment to expand graphite particles and arrange carbon atoms into a perfect planar hexagonal network structure before exfoliation. This preliminary expansion and structural arrangement enables the subsequent mechanical exfoliation to produce large-area graphene platelets while maintaining structural perfection, resolving the contradiction between production quantity and platelet area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a mechanical shear force exfoliation system instead of conventional explosion or chemical methods. This mechanical system efficiently separates the preliminarily graphitized graphite into numerous large-area graphene platelets while preserving their perfect hexagonal network structure, achieving both high production quantity and large platelet area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The method effectively separates highly-graphitized graphene into large-area graphene platelets with a perfect planar hexagonal network structure, enhancing their physical properties and enabling efficient mass production.

Implementation Method 1

providing a shear force acting on the highly-graphitized graphene to separate the highly-graphitized graphene into a plurality of graphene platelets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear force: Shear Stress

Implementation Method 2

the shear force is greater than the bonding force between graphene platelets so as to effectively separate the highly-graphitized graphene

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBonding force: Van der Waals Force

Data Source

PatentUS9944530B2Graphene platelet fabrication method and graphene platelet fabricated thereby

Publication Date: 2018.04.17 RITEDIA CORPORATION

AI summary

The present invention discloses a graphene platelet fabrication method, which comprises Step (A): providing a highly-graphitized graphene having a graphitization degree of 0.8-1.0; and Step (B): providing a shear force acting on the highly-graphitized graphene to separate the highly-graphitized graphene into graphene platelets, wherein the graphene platelets have a length of 10-500 μm and a width of 10-500 μm and have a single-layer or multi-layer structure. The present invention also discloses a graphene platelet fabricated according to the abovementioned method.