Heteroelement-Containing Graphene With High Crystallinity

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heteroelement-containing graphene loses flatness and crystallinity when a significant amount of heteroelements, such as nitrogen, are introduced, leading to amorphous or disordered crystal structures.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the introduction of heteroelements like nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic, sulfur, boron, or silicon into the graphene structure using a specific producing method that maintains the flatness and crystallinity, achieving a highly crystalline graphene with spots of single crystal symmetry in electron diffraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large amount of heteroelements (e.g., nitrogen) is introduced into the graphene structure, then the catalytic activity and carrier density are improved, but the flatness and crystallinity of the graphene sheet deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatalytic activityVSAvoidflatness of graphene sheet

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing heteroelements at specific locations within the graphene structure rather than uniformly throughout. The heteroelements are introduced into the valley portion of the zigzag edge and at specific bonding sites, creating localized regions of enhanced catalytic activity while preserving the overall flatness and crystallinity of the graphene sheet. This selective positioning allows the graphene to maintain its structural integrity while gaining improved catalytic properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by carefully controlling the concentration and distribution of heteroelements within the graphene structure. By optimizing the heteroelement content and their positional parameters, the patent achieves a balance between enhancing catalytic activity and maintaining the flatness and crystallinity of the graphene. The specific parameters controlled include heteroelement concentration, bonding angle, and spatial distribution within the carbon six-membered ring structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a large amount of heteroelements is introduced into the graphene structure, then the semiconductor properties are improved, but the crystal structure becomes disordered and amorphous

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesemiconductor propertiesVSAvoidcrystallinity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing heteroelements at specific locations within the graphene structure rather than uniformly throughout. The heteroelements are introduced into the valley portion of the zigzag edge and at specific bonding sites, creating localized regions of enhanced catalytic activity while preserving the overall flatness and crystallinity of the graphene sheet. This selective positioning allows the graphene to maintain its structural integrity while gaining improved catalytic properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by carefully controlling the concentration and distribution of heteroelements within the graphene structure. By optimizing the heteroelement content and their positional parameters, the patent achieves a balance between enhancing catalytic activity and maintaining the flatness and crystallinity of the graphene. The specific parameters controlled include heteroelement concentration, bonding angle, and spatial distribution within the carbon six-membered ring structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If heteroelements are introduced to enhance catalytic activity, then the oxygen reduction properties are improved, but the bonding angle becomes disordered and the graphene sheet curves at the atomic level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen reduction propertiesVSAvoidflatness at atomic level

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing heteroelements at specific locations within the graphene structure rather than uniformly throughout. The heteroelements are introduced into the valley portion of the zigzag edge and at specific bonding sites, creating localized regions of enhanced catalytic activity while preserving the overall flatness and crystallinity of the graphene sheet. This selective positioning allows the graphene to maintain its structural integrity while gaining improved catalytic properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by carefully controlling the concentration and distribution of heteroelements within the graphene structure. By optimizing the heteroelement content and their positional parameters, the patent achieves a balance between enhancing catalytic activity and maintaining the flatness and crystallinity of the graphene. The specific parameters controlled include heteroelement concentration, bonding angle, and spatial distribution within the carbon six-membered ring structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250368516A1Heteroelement-Containing Graphene

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 THE JAPAN SCI & TECH AGENCY

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a highly crystalline heteroelement-containing graphene. A heteroelement-containing graphene disclosed herein includes carbon (C) and, as a heteroelement (X), at least one element selected from the group consisting of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), arsenic (As), sulfur (S), boron (B), and silicon (Si). Also, spots belonging to either the orthorhombic system or the hexagonal system and having the symmetry of a single crystal are observed in the selected area electron diffraction.