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Functionalized Graphene - Polymer Composites with Increased Thermal and Electrical Conductivity

Graphene - polymer composites were created using non-covalent modified graphene nanoplatelets obtained via a patented exfoliation process

Micrscopic view of graphene
Please note, image is purely illustrative. Source: Dr Khuloud T. Al-Jamal, Wellcome, CCbysa4.0

Background

Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) are often difficult to disperse uniformly throughout a polymeric phase, minimizing the potential benefits of the GNPs. Modifying the surface properties of the GNPs is a possible solution, but such modification introduces additional processing steps and costs. 

Technology Overview

Researchers have developed an exfoliation process that is low-temperature, free of chemicals or solvents, and that can functionalize the surfaces of the exfoliated GNPs in a single step. Inherently scalable, this process converts a high percentage of graphite to GNPs (~94%). To date, GNPs with a specific surface area of 345 m2/g and aspect ratios as high as 500 have been produced, but the properties of the GNPs can be easily altered by adjusting the processing parameters. GNPs functionalized with trimellitic anhydride during exfoliation were used to prepare graphene ‑ polyamide composites with improved GNP dispersion and increases in thermal and electrical conductivity of 106% and 360%, respectively. These functionalized GNPs were also stable in aqueous solutions for many months and used to create thin conductive coatings. 

Benefits

  • Simple, low-temperature, chemical & solvent-free, one-step exfoliation process that can functionalize GNP surfaces with a variety of agents
  • Efficient, high yield
  • Readily scalable and cost-effective
  • Defect-free GNPs with ‘tunable’ properties
  • Improved dispersion in polymeric phases and increases in thermal and electrical conductivity

Applications

  • Polymer composites
  • Batteries
  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Inks & coatings
  • Sensors
  • Lubricants

Opportunity

Technology is currently at a bench scale. Seeking companies interested in further developing and commercializing the technology.

Patents

  • US patent application No. 16/962,073

IP Status

Patented

Seeking

  • Development partner
  • Commercial partner
  • Licensing

Posted

May 14, 2018