Patent ID: 6416815
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: C01B,C09K

Abstract:
Method for providing intercalated graphite flake with increased exfoliation volume at exfoliation temperatures of 600Â° C. or lower, which comprises: (i) adding carboxylic acid organic expansion aid to an oxidizing intercalant solution; (ii) treating of graphite flake with the oxidizing intercalant solution containing the organic expansion aid to provide intercalated graphite flake having a surface film of oxidizing intercalant solution; (iii) blending said intercalated graphite flake, which has a surface coating film of the oxidizing intercalant solution with an organic reducing agent reactive with the oxidizing intercalant solution, at temperatures of from 25Â° C. to 110Â° C., the reducing agent being an organic compound selected from sugars, alcohols, aldehydes and esters in an amount of from 0.5 to 4% by weight of the graphite flake; and (iv) heating the blend of step (iii) to a temperature in the range of 25Â° C. to 125Â° C. to promote reaction of the organic reducing agent with the coating of oxidizing intercalant solution.