PRODUCTION OF GRAPHENE FROM METAL ALKOXIDE

Karl Stuart Coleman

Patent details

Patent

US 9,932,227

PRODUCTION OF GRAPHENE FROM METAL ALKOXIDE

Karl Stuart Coleman

2018-04-03·US

Claims

Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.

8 independent · 35 dependent

1
Independentmetal alkoxidesolventgraphene
A process for producing graphene, comprising the step of: introducing a solution of a metal alkoxide in a solvent into a decomposition apparatus, wherein the step of introducing the solution includes creating droplets comprising a spray or mist or aerosol of the metal alkoxide solution, the decomposition apparatus includes a ﬁrst region having a suﬃciently high temperature to cause thermal decomposition of the metal alkoxide, to produce graphene, and wherein the droplets are created in, or introduced to, a ﬂow of gas.
1. 2
  Dependent← claim 1alcohol
  A process according to claim 1, wherein the solvent comprises an alcohol.
2. 5
  Dependent← claim 1sodium alkoxide
  A process according to claim 1, wherein the metal alkoxide comprises a sodium alkoxide.
3. 6
  Dependent← claim 1
  A process according to claim 1, further comprising the step of vaporising the solution. 7.-9.
4. 10
  Dependent← claim 1
  A process according to claim 1, wherein the gas is inert.
5. 11
  Dependent← claim 1
  A process according to claim 1, comprising the step of ﬂowing the gas through the ﬁrst region. P₄₀₃₅₅₆US QB\920257.00015\33293993. 1 Application No. 13/384,881 Group Art Unit: 1736 Page 3 of 7
6. 12
  Dependent← claim 1graphene
  A process according to claim 1, further comprising the step of ﬂowing the gas through a second region, cooler than the ﬁrst region, for collecting graphene.
7. 13
  Dependent← claim 1graphene
  A process according to claim 1, wherein graphene powder is produced.
8. 14
  Dependent← claim 1graphene
  A process according to claim 1, comprising the step of growing a ﬁlm of graphene on a substrate.
9. 18
  Dependent← claim 1
  A process according to claim 1, wherein the ﬁrst region is held at a temperature above the decomposition point temperature of the metal alkoxide.
10. 19
  Dependent← claim 1
  process according to claim 1, wherein the ﬁrst region is held at a temperature in the range 300 to 1800 degrees Celsius.
11. 20
  Dependent← claim 1
  A process according to claim 1, wherein the process includes a chemical vapour deposition process.
12. 21
  Dependent← claim 1
  A process according to claim 1, wherein the process is operated substantially continuously. P₄₀₃₅₅₆US QB\920257.00015\33293993. 1 Application No. 13/384,881 Group Art Unit: 1736 Page 4 of 7
13. 22
  Dependent← claim 1graphene
  A process according to claim 1, further comprising the step of washing the graphene with water to remove other products of the thermal decomposition step.
14. 23
  Dependent← claim 1graphene
  A process according to claim 1, further comprising the step of annealing the graphene.
15. 25
  Dependent← claim 1
  A process according to claim 1, wherein the metal alkoxide is obtained by a method other than a solvothermal process.
16. 26
  Dependent← claim 1alcohol
  A process according to claim 1, wherein the metal alkoxide solution is obtained using at least one of the following steps: adding the metal to an alcohol; adding a metal hydroxide to an alcohol; and/or adding a metal carbonate to an alcohol.
7
Independent
canceled
8
Independent
canceled
9
Independent
canceled
27
Independentmetal alkoxidegraphene
A process for producing graphene, comprising the step of: introducing at least a ﬁrst reagent and a second reagent into a ﬁrst region of a decomposition apparatus, wherein said second reagent is introduced as droplets comprising a mist, spray or aerosol into the decomposition apparatus; wherein said ﬁrst and second reagents react to produce a metal alkoxide; said ﬁrst region has a suﬃciently high temperature to cause thermal decomposition of the metal alkoxide to produce graphene; and wherein the droplets are created in, or introduced to, a ﬂow of gas. P₄₀₃₅₅₆US QB\920257.00015\33293993. 1 Application No. 13/384,881 Group Art Unit: 1736 Page 5 of 7
1. 28
  Dependent← claim 27alcohol
  A process according to claim 27, wherein said ﬁrst reagent comprises at least one of: a metal, a metal carbonate, and/or a metal hydroxide; and said second reagent comprises an alcohol.
2. 31
  Dependent← claim 27
  A process according to claim 27, wherein said ﬁrst and/or second reagent is replenished intermittently. 32.-34.
3. 35
  Dependent← claim 27
  A process according to claim 27, comprising the step of ﬂowing a gas through the ﬁrst region.
4. 36
  Dependent← claim 27
  A process according to claim 27, wherein the gas is inert.
5. 37
  Dependent← claim 27
  A process according to claim 27, wherein the ﬁrst reagent is held in a boat.
6. 38
  Dependent← claim 27graphene
  A process according to claim 27, wherein graphene powder is produced.
7. 39
  Dependent← claim 27
  A process according to claim 27, wherein the ﬁrst region is held at a temperature in the range 300 to 1800 degrees Celsius. P₄₀₃₅₅₆US QB\920257.00015\33293993. 1 Application No. 13/384,881 Group Art Unit: 1736 Page 6 of 7
8. 40
  Dependent← claim 27
  A process according to claim 27, wherein the process is operated substantially continuously.
9. 41
  Dependent← claim 27graphene
  A process according to claim 27, further comprising the step of washing the graphene with water to remove other products of the thermal decomposition step.
10. 42
  Dependent← claim 27graphene
  A process according to claim 27, further comprising the step of annealing the graphene.
32
Independent
canceled
33
Independent
canceled
34
Independent
canceled

Materials

Materials described outside the worked examples.

metal alkoxide

Precursor

solvent

Solvent

Process steps

Additional fabrication and treatment steps described in the patent.

Thermal Decomposition

Step 1

Temperature

300, 1800°C

Process details

method:spray/mist/aerosol introduction of metal alkoxide solution into decomposition apparatus

gas flow:

Why these are connected

Related documents with shared materials, methods, properties, or citations.

PRODUCTION OF GRAPHENE FROM METAL ALKOXIDE | Matter42 Literature