Patent ID: 9422164
Filing Date: 2016-08-23
CPC Classification: B82Y,C01B,Y10S

Claim Text:
1. A method of producing nano-scaled graphene platelets with an average thickness smaller than 30 nm from a layered graphite material, said method comprising: a) forming a carboxylic acid-intercalated graphite compound by an electrochemical reaction which uses a carboxylic acid as both an electrolyte and an intercalate source, said layered graphite material as an anode material, and a metal or graphite as a cathode material, and wherein a current is imposed upon said cathode and said anode at a current density for a duration of time sufficient for effecting said electrochemical reaction, wherein said carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of propionic, butyric, pentanoic, hexanoic acids, anhydrides thereof, and combinations thereof; b) exposing said carboxylic acid-intercalated graphite compound to a thermal shock to form exfoliated graphite; and c) subjecting said exfoliated graphite to a mechanical shearing treatment to produce said nano-scaled graphene platelets.