Single-step, solvent-free, catalyst-free preparation of holey carbon allotropes

US9567225B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Yi Lin · New Taipei, TW
• Jae-Woo Kim · Daejeon, KR
• John W. Connell · Newport News, US
• Michael R. Funk · Hampton, US
• Caroline J. Campbell · Yorktown, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 14, 2014
• Grant date: Feb 14, 2017
• Expiry date: Oct 14, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C01P2006/16
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Methods for forming holey carbon allotropes and graphene nanomeshes are provided by the various embodiments. The various embodiments may be applicable to a variety of carbon allotropes, such as graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, thermal exfoliated graphene, graphene nanoribbons, graphite, exfoliated graphite, expanded graphite, carbon nanotubes (e.g., single-walled carbon nanotubes, double-walled carbon nanotubes, few-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, etc.), carbon nanofibers, carbon fibers, carbon black, amorphous carbon, fullerenes, etc. The methods may produce holey carbon allotropes without the use of solvents, catalysts, flammable gas, additional chemical agents, or electrolysis to produce the pores (e.g., holes, etc.) in the carbon allotropes. In an embodiment, a carbon allotrope may be heated at a working window temperature for a working period of time to create holes in the carbon allotrope.