Patent ID: 7754184

Claim:
A process for the production of structures which are, on average, no greater than about 1000 nanometers in at least one dimension, comprising providing a graphite flake comprising graphene layers; intercalating the graphite flake to form an intercalated graphite flake exhibiting Stage I, II or III intercalation; and exfoliating the intercalated graphite flake by exposing the intercalated graphite flake to a temperature of at least 1450° C. but less than the temperature at which the graphene layers no longer exist, such that a plurality of individual graphene layers are separated from the graphite flake, wherein the intercalated graphite flake is brought from a temperature at which it is stable to a temperature of at least 1450° C. within a period of no more than about 1 second and further wherein intercalated graphite flakes are exfoliated by being extruded as a rod into an inert gas plasma or through a cooled nozzle which opposes a graphite electrode, wherein the extruded intercalated graphite flake and the graphite electrode form a pair between which an arc is struck to rapidly heat the intercalated graphite flake.