Atomically thin crystals and films and process for making same

US9751760B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS, AND THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD, OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY AND UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN · IE

Inventors

• Jonathan Coleman · Dublin, IE
• Umar Khan · Sligo, IE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 28, 2013
• Grant date: Sep 5, 2017
• Expiry date: Jun 28, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/2991
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention provides a process for exfoliating a 3-dimensional layered material to produce a 2-dimensional material, said process comprising the steps of mixing the layered material in a solvent to provide a mixture; applying energy, for example ultrasound, to said mixture, and removing the energy applied to the mixture, such that sedimentation of the 2-dimensional material out of solution as a weakly re-aggregated, exfoliated 2-dimensional material is produced. The invention provides a fast, simple and high yielding process for separating 3-dimensional layered materials into individual 2-dimensional layers or flakes, which do not strongly re-aggregate, without utilising hazardous solvents.