Graphene Oxide Manufacture from Kish Graphite

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing graphene oxide from Kish graphite are either polluting due to the production of toxic gases or energy-intensive, with long oxidation times and high energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the intercalation of Kish graphite with a persulfate salt and an acid at room temperature, followed by expansion and oxidation, which reduces pollution and energy consumption while shortening the oxidation time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If sodium nitrate is used as oxidizing agent, then oxidation can be achieved, but toxic gases are produced leading to pollution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidation capabilityVSAvoidtoxic gas production
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by substituting sodium nitrate with ammonium nitrate as the oxidizing agent. This parameter change eliminates toxic gas production while maintaining oxidation capability, directly resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and environmental harm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional oxidation method is used, then graphene oxide can be produced, but oxidation time is very long (around 3 hours)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegraphene oxide productionVSAvoidoxidation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by using ammonium nitrate instead of sodium nitrate, and optimizes the acid-to-graphite ratio to between 0.25 and 1.0. These parameter changes reduce the oxidation time from 3 hours to between 30 minutes and 2 hours, while maintaining product quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If ammonium nitrate is used instead of sodium nitrate, then pollution is reduced, but oxidation time is still 1 hour 30 minutes which needs further reduction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepollution levelVSAvoidoxidation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent进一步优化 the process parameters by optimizing the acid amount ratio to between 0.25 and 1.0 relative to kish graphite, and controlling the oxidation temperature and time. These refined parameter changes reduce oxidation time to between 30 minutes and 2 hours while maintaining low pollution levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If kish graphite is not pre-treated, then process is simpler, but oxidation efficiency is lower and productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess complexityVSAvoidoxidation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a pre-treatment step before oxidation. This pre-treatment involves sizing the kish graphite to remove fine particles below 50μm and performing acid leaching to remove impurities. This preliminary preparation improves oxidation efficiency and productivity while keeping the additional process steps minimal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 produces high-quality graphene oxide with a significant reduction in oxidation time, improved purity, and reduced environmental impact, making it suitable for industrial-scale production.

Implementation Method 1

The intercalation of kish graphite with a persulfate salt and an acid at room temperature to obtain intercalated kish graphite

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntercalation:

Implementation Method 2

The expansion of the intercalated kish graphite at room temperature to obtain expanded kish graphite

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExpansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 3

An oxidation step of the expanded kish graphite to obtain graphene oxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP3969419B1A method for the manufacture of graphene oxide from expanded kish graphite
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 ARCELORMITTAL SA
  • EP3969419B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of graphene oxide from kish graphite comprising: A. The provision of kish graphite, B. Optionally, a pre-treatment of kish graphite, C. The intercalation of kish graphite with a persulfate salt and an acid at room temperature to obtain intercalated kish graphite, D. The expansion of the intercalated kish graphite to obtain expanded kish graphite and E. An oxidation step of the expanded kish graphite to obtain graphene oxide.