Method of producing platelets comprising a layered material

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This patent describes a method for producing very thin platelets, such as single- or few-layer graphene or other layered materials, by mechanically grinding particles of the material using grinding media (like tiny beads) at low stress energy. The process avoids the need for pre-treatments like sonication (ultrasound) or chemical expansion, and controls conditions to yield nanoscale platelets, some less than 4 nanometers thick, including single-atom-thick layers.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Mass production of graphene platelets for use in conductive inks and coatings
• Manufacturing advanced composite materials with improved mechanical, electrical, or thermal properties
• Production of platelets for use in batteries, supercapacitors, and other energy storage devices
• Integration into sensors, electronics, or transparent conductive films
• Use in paint, adhesives, and coatings to enhance durability, conductivity, or other performance metrics
• Creation of dispersions or suspensions of platelets for biomedical or chemical applications

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Eliminates the need for complex and expensive pre-treatment steps (such as sonication or chemical expansion)
• Enables scalable, cost-effective mass production of nanoscale platelets, including single-layer graphene
• Allows precise control over platelet thickness and defect density by adjusting grinding conditions
• Can be performed at relatively low temperatures, reducing energy costs and risk of thermal damage
• Applicable to a range of layered materials, not just graphite or graphene
• Minimizes contamination risk by possible use of same-material grinding media
• Facilitates stable suspensions with surfactant use, suitable for direct application in formulations

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

A method of producing from particles of a layered material platelets comprising the layered material, wherein the particles are exposed to a mechanical grinding treatment using grinding media, the stress energy of the grinding media SF GM being smaller than 10 µNm. Moreover, a method of producing from particles of a layered material platelets comprising the layered material, wherein the particles are exposed to a mechanical grinding treatment, thereby exfoliating at least some of the particles of the layered material to produce platelets of the layered material, at least some of the platelets thus generated being less than 4 nm thick.