Patent
US 8,992,881GRAPHENE NANORIBBONS PREPARED FROM CARBON NANOTUBES VIA ALKALI METAL EXPOSURE
James M. Tour, Dmitry Kosynkin
2015-03-31·US
Copyright © 2026 Matter42. All rights reserved.
Patent
Atlas literature
Patent
US 8,992,881Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
(Cu rr ently Amended) A process for preparing graphene nanoribbons, said process comprising: exposing a plurality of carbon nanotubes to an alkali metal source in the absence of a solvent, wherein the alkali metal source comprises an alkali metal vapor; wherein exposing opens the carbon nanotubes parallel to their longitudinal axis; and after exposing, adding an electrophile to form functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 1, wherein the alkali metal source comprises a molten alkali metal.
The process of claim 1, wherein the alkali metal source comprises an alkali metal selected from the group consisting of potassium, rubidium, cesium and combinations thereof.
The process of claim 1, wherein exposing takes place at a temperature between 50 0 C and 500 0 C.
The process of claim 1, wherein the carbon nanotubes comprise multi-walled carbon nanotubes.
The process of claim 1, wherein the electrophile is selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, organic halides and synthetic equivalents thereof, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, carboxylic esters, carboxylic acid chlorides, carboxylic acid anhydrides, enones, nitriles, carbon dioxide, halogens, vinyl monomers, ring-opening monomers and combinations thereof.
The process of claim 1, wherein the electrophile is added in a solvent.
The process of claim 1, wherein the electrophile is added neat.
The process of claim 1, further comprising: exfoliating the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form exfoliated, functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 1, further comprising: oxidizing the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form oxidized, functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 1, further comprising: defunctionalizing the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form defunctionalized graphene nanoribbons.
canceled
A process for preparing graphene nanoribbons, said process comprising: exposing a plurality of multi-walled carbon nanotubes to a potassium metal source in the absence of a solvent, wherein the potassium metal source comprises potassium metal vapor; wherein exposing opens the multi-walled carbon nanotubes parallel to their longitudinal axis; and after exposing, adding an electrophile to form functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 22, wherein the potassium metal source comprises molten potassium metal.
The process of claim 22, wherein exposing takes place at a temperature between 50 ° C and 500 °C.
The process of claim 22, wherein the electrophile is selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, organic halides and synthetic equivalents thereof, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, carboxylic esters, carboxylic acid chlorides, carboxylic acid anhydrides, enones, nitriles, carbon dioxide, halogens, vinyl monomers, ring-opening monomers and combinations thereof.
The process of claim 22, further comprising: exfoliating the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form exfoliated, functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 22, further comprising: oxidizing the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form oxidized, functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 22, further comprising: defunctionalizing the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form defunctionalized graphene nanoribbons.
canceled
canceled
canceled
-5- canceled
Materials described outside the worked examples.
carbon nanotubes
alkali metal vapor/alkali metal source
Performance values and ranges asserted in the specification or claims.
| Property | Value | Material |
|---|---|---|
Temperature | 50–500 °C | — |
Temperature | 250–300 °C |
Patent
Atlas literature
Patent
US 8,992,881Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
(Cu rr ently Amended) A process for preparing graphene nanoribbons, said process comprising: exposing a plurality of carbon nanotubes to an alkali metal source in the absence of a solvent, wherein the alkali metal source comprises an alkali metal vapor; wherein exposing opens the carbon nanotubes parallel to their longitudinal axis; and after exposing, adding an electrophile to form functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 1, wherein the alkali metal source comprises a molten alkali metal.
The process of claim 1, wherein the alkali metal source comprises an alkali metal selected from the group consisting of potassium, rubidium, cesium and combinations thereof.
The process of claim 1, wherein exposing takes place at a temperature between 50 0 C and 500 0 C.
The process of claim 1, wherein the carbon nanotubes comprise multi-walled carbon nanotubes.
The process of claim 1, wherein the electrophile is selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, organic halides and synthetic equivalents thereof, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, carboxylic esters, carboxylic acid chlorides, carboxylic acid anhydrides, enones, nitriles, carbon dioxide, halogens, vinyl monomers, ring-opening monomers and combinations thereof.
The process of claim 1, wherein the electrophile is added in a solvent.
The process of claim 1, wherein the electrophile is added neat.
The process of claim 1, further comprising: exfoliating the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form exfoliated, functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 1, further comprising: oxidizing the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form oxidized, functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 1, further comprising: defunctionalizing the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form defunctionalized graphene nanoribbons.
canceled
A process for preparing graphene nanoribbons, said process comprising: exposing a plurality of multi-walled carbon nanotubes to a potassium metal source in the absence of a solvent, wherein the potassium metal source comprises potassium metal vapor; wherein exposing opens the multi-walled carbon nanotubes parallel to their longitudinal axis; and after exposing, adding an electrophile to form functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 22, wherein the potassium metal source comprises molten potassium metal.
The process of claim 22, wherein exposing takes place at a temperature between 50 ° C and 500 °C.
The process of claim 22, wherein the electrophile is selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, organic halides and synthetic equivalents thereof, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, carboxylic esters, carboxylic acid chlorides, carboxylic acid anhydrides, enones, nitriles, carbon dioxide, halogens, vinyl monomers, ring-opening monomers and combinations thereof.
The process of claim 22, further comprising: exfoliating the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form exfoliated, functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 22, further comprising: oxidizing the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form oxidized, functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 22, further comprising: defunctionalizing the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form defunctionalized graphene nanoribbons.
canceled
canceled
canceled
-5- canceled
Materials described outside the worked examples.
carbon nanotubes
alkali metal vapor/alkali metal source
Performance values and ranges asserted in the specification or claims.
| Property | Value | Material |
|---|---|---|
Temperature | 50–500 °C | — |
Temperature | 250–300 °C |
Patent
Atlas literature
Patent
US 8,992,881Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
(Cu rr ently Amended) A process for preparing graphene nanoribbons, said process comprising: exposing a plurality of carbon nanotubes to an alkali metal source in the absence of a solvent, wherein the alkali metal source comprises an alkali metal vapor; wherein exposing opens the carbon nanotubes parallel to their longitudinal axis; and after exposing, adding an electrophile to form functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 1, wherein the alkali metal source comprises a molten alkali metal.
The process of claim 1, wherein the alkali metal source comprises an alkali metal selected from the group consisting of potassium, rubidium, cesium and combinations thereof.
The process of claim 1, wherein exposing takes place at a temperature between 50 0 C and 500 0 C.
The process of claim 1, wherein the carbon nanotubes comprise multi-walled carbon nanotubes.
The process of claim 1, wherein the electrophile is selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, organic halides and synthetic equivalents thereof, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, carboxylic esters, carboxylic acid chlorides, carboxylic acid anhydrides, enones, nitriles, carbon dioxide, halogens, vinyl monomers, ring-opening monomers and combinations thereof.
The process of claim 1, wherein the electrophile is added in a solvent.
The process of claim 1, wherein the electrophile is added neat.
The process of claim 1, further comprising: exfoliating the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form exfoliated, functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 1, further comprising: oxidizing the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form oxidized, functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 1, further comprising: defunctionalizing the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form defunctionalized graphene nanoribbons.
canceled
A process for preparing graphene nanoribbons, said process comprising: exposing a plurality of multi-walled carbon nanotubes to a potassium metal source in the absence of a solvent, wherein the potassium metal source comprises potassium metal vapor; wherein exposing opens the multi-walled carbon nanotubes parallel to their longitudinal axis; and after exposing, adding an electrophile to form functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 22, wherein the potassium metal source comprises molten potassium metal.
The process of claim 22, wherein exposing takes place at a temperature between 50 ° C and 500 °C.
The process of claim 22, wherein the electrophile is selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, organic halides and synthetic equivalents thereof, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, carboxylic esters, carboxylic acid chlorides, carboxylic acid anhydrides, enones, nitriles, carbon dioxide, halogens, vinyl monomers, ring-opening monomers and combinations thereof.
The process of claim 22, further comprising: exfoliating the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form exfoliated, functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 22, further comprising: oxidizing the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form oxidized, functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 22, further comprising: defunctionalizing the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form defunctionalized graphene nanoribbons.
canceled
canceled
canceled
-5- canceled
Materials described outside the worked examples.
carbon nanotubes
alkali metal vapor/alkali metal source
Performance values and ranges asserted in the specification or claims.
| Property | Value | Material |
|---|---|---|
Temperature | 50–500 °C | — |
Temperature | 250–300 °C |
Patent
Atlas literature
Patent
US 8,992,881Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
(Cu rr ently Amended) A process for preparing graphene nanoribbons, said process comprising: exposing a plurality of carbon nanotubes to an alkali metal source in the absence of a solvent, wherein the alkali metal source comprises an alkali metal vapor; wherein exposing opens the carbon nanotubes parallel to their longitudinal axis; and after exposing, adding an electrophile to form functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 1, wherein the alkali metal source comprises a molten alkali metal.
The process of claim 1, wherein the alkali metal source comprises an alkali metal selected from the group consisting of potassium, rubidium, cesium and combinations thereof.
The process of claim 1, wherein exposing takes place at a temperature between 50 0 C and 500 0 C.
The process of claim 1, wherein the carbon nanotubes comprise multi-walled carbon nanotubes.
The process of claim 1, wherein the electrophile is selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, organic halides and synthetic equivalents thereof, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, carboxylic esters, carboxylic acid chlorides, carboxylic acid anhydrides, enones, nitriles, carbon dioxide, halogens, vinyl monomers, ring-opening monomers and combinations thereof.
The process of claim 1, wherein the electrophile is added in a solvent.
The process of claim 1, wherein the electrophile is added neat.
The process of claim 1, further comprising: exfoliating the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form exfoliated, functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 1, further comprising: oxidizing the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form oxidized, functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 1, further comprising: defunctionalizing the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form defunctionalized graphene nanoribbons.
canceled
A process for preparing graphene nanoribbons, said process comprising: exposing a plurality of multi-walled carbon nanotubes to a potassium metal source in the absence of a solvent, wherein the potassium metal source comprises potassium metal vapor; wherein exposing opens the multi-walled carbon nanotubes parallel to their longitudinal axis; and after exposing, adding an electrophile to form functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 22, wherein the potassium metal source comprises molten potassium metal.
The process of claim 22, wherein exposing takes place at a temperature between 50 ° C and 500 °C.
The process of claim 22, wherein the electrophile is selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, organic halides and synthetic equivalents thereof, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, carboxylic esters, carboxylic acid chlorides, carboxylic acid anhydrides, enones, nitriles, carbon dioxide, halogens, vinyl monomers, ring-opening monomers and combinations thereof.
The process of claim 22, further comprising: exfoliating the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form exfoliated, functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 22, further comprising: oxidizing the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form oxidized, functionalized graphene nanoribbons.
The process of claim 22, further comprising: defunctionalizing the functionalized graphene nanoribbons to form defunctionalized graphene nanoribbons.
canceled
canceled
canceled
-5- canceled
Materials described outside the worked examples.
carbon nanotubes
alkali metal vapor/alkali metal source
Performance values and ranges asserted in the specification or claims.
| Property | Value | Material |
|---|---|---|
Temperature | 50–500 °C | — |
Temperature | 250–300 °C |
functionalized graphene nanoribbons
potassium
K
rubidium
Rb
cesium
Cs
multi-walled carbon nanotubes
| — |
functionalized graphene nanoribbons
potassium
K
rubidium
Rb
cesium
Cs
multi-walled carbon nanotubes
| — |
functionalized graphene nanoribbons
potassium
K
rubidium
Rb
cesium
Cs
multi-walled carbon nanotubes
| — |
functionalized graphene nanoribbons
potassium
K
rubidium
Rb
cesium
Cs
multi-walled carbon nanotubes
| — |