Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to anode particles produced in part from discarded graphite particles, and methods of producing the same. In some aspects, a method of forming carbon-coated anode particles can include mixing a first plurality of particles, a second plurality of particles, and a plurality of graphene particles to form a dry powder, the first plurality of graphite particles including particles rejected from a graphite spheronization process, the second plurality of graphite particles including particles rejected from a graphite micronization process, mixing the dry powder with water and a carbon-containing liquid to form a slurry, spray-drying the slurry to form an agglomerated mix, and heating the agglomerated mix to form carbon-coated anode particles. In some embodiments, the spray-drying includes atomizing the slurry to form droplets. In some embodiments, the spray-drying can include heating the droplets in a heated chamber to form dried particles.

Abstract: A process for in situ functionalization of graphene including placing a graphitic precursor in an exfoliation cannister with exfoliation media; creating an inert atmosphere in the exfoliation cannister; exfoliating the graphitic precursor to form graphene having carboxyl moieties; and reacting the carboxyl moieties in the exfoliation cannister under conditions, such as a temperature of between 260 and 500° C., and in the presence of a substance to chemically reduce or react the carboxyl moieties during the exfoliating to produce hydrophobic graphene. Additionally, a process of molding an article including intermixing a thermoplastic in a molten state with hydrophobic graphene produced by an in situ functionalization process to form a dispersion of the hydrophobic graphene in the thermoplastic; injecting a melt of the dispersion of the hydrophobic graphene in the thermoplastic into a mold having a cavity complementary to the article; and allowing the melt to cool to form the article.

Abstract: A graphene-based lubricant is provided that includes a graphene-based additive. The graphene-based additive, along with and other optional additives is dispersed in a base liquid. A method of lubrication is also provided that includes the application of the composition to two mating surfaces to form a protective coating between the two mating surfaces.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to the large scale production of functionalized graphene. In some embodiments, a method for producing functionalized graphene includes combining a crystalline graphite with a first electrolyte solution that includes at least one of a metal hydroxide salt, an oxidizer, and a surfactant. The crystalline graphite is then milled in the presence of the first electrolyte solution for a first time period to produce a thinned intermediate material. The thinned intermediate material is combined with a second electrolyte solution that includes a strong oxidizer and at least one of a metal hydroxide salt, a weak oxidizer, and a surfactant. The thinned intermediate material is then milled in the presence of the second electrolyte solution for a second time period to produce functionalized graphene.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to the large scale production of functionalized graphene. In some embodiments, a method for producing functionalized graphene includes combining a crystalline graphite with a first electrolyte solution that includes at least one of a metal hydroxide salt, an oxidizer, and a surfactant. The crystalline graphite is then milled in the presence of the first electrolyte solution for a first time period to produce a thinned intermediate material. The thinned intermediate material is combined with a second electrolyte solution that includes a strong oxidizer and at least one of a metal hydroxide salt, a weak oxidizer, and a surfactant. The thinned intermediate material is then milled in the presence of the second electrolyte solution for a second time period to produce functionalized graphene.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for manufacturing a master batch with a graphitic material dispersed in a polymer matrix. In some embodiments, a method for manufacturing the master batch can include combining the graphitic material with a polymer, adding a supercritical fluid to the mixture, and depressurizing the supercritical fluid to remove the supercritical fluid. In some embodiments, the method includes mixing the graphitic material and the polymer for a first time period to form a first mixture and transferring the supercritical fluid to the first mixture to form a second mixture. In some embodiments, the method includes mixing the second mixture for a second time period and depressurizing the second mixture to allow the supercritical fluid to transition to a gas phase.

Abstract: Graphene-modified polymeric foam materials are provided that are amenable to conventional foams to yield articles with superior properties relative to like articles absent the graphene cell modifier. Graphene-based cell modifiers are incorporated in the polymer before or during the foaming process to not only improve the mechanical, thermal, electrical, fire retardant, or barrier properties of the polymer matrix itself, but also help modify the size, density, and morphology of cells in the foam, thereby tailoring the properties of the final foam articles. The graphene-modified polymeric foam materials may be utilized for the manufacturing of articles for mechanical, thermal, noise reduction, or sound absorption applications. The graphene-modified foams and articles made thereof have the advantages higher mechanical strength, better thermal stability, and better sound absorption properties as compared to the conventional polymeric foams such as materials made by copolymer polyol.

Abstract: A graphene-based zinc containing coating is provided to prevent or slow down the corrosion of steel. The graphene-based materials are selected from a group of modified single-layer graphene, double-layer graphene, few layer graphene, graphene nanoplatelet, doped graphene, and a combination thereof. The modified graphene-based materials in zinc-containing paints or coatings act as a barrier to prevent or slow down the diffusion of corrosive species to the steel surface to be protected. For such a purpose, the graphene has a high aspect ratio and good structural integrity, especially a lack of defects on the basal plane of the graphene.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for manufacturing a master batch with a graphitic material dispersed in a polymer matrix. In some embodiments, a method for manufacturing the master batch can include combining the graphitic material with a polymer, adding a supercritical fluid to the mixture, and depressurizing the supercritical fluid to remove the supercritical fluid. In some embodiments, the method includes mixing the graphitic material and the polymer for a first time period to form a first mixture and transferring the supercritical fluid to the first mixture to form a second mixture. In some embodiments, the method includes mixing the second mixture for a second time period and depressurizing the second mixture to allow the supercritical fluid to transition to a gas phase.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to the large scale production of functionalized graphene. In some embodiments, a method for producing functionalized graphene includes combining a crystalline graphite with a first electrolyte solution that includes at least one of a metal hydroxide salt, an oxidizer, and a surfactant. The crystalline graphite is then milled in the presence of the first electrolyte solution for a first time period to produce a thinned intermediate material. The thinned intermediate material is combined with a second electrolyte solution that includes a strong oxidizer and at least one of a metal hydroxide salt, a weak oxidizer, and a surfactant. The thinned intermediate material is then milled in the presence of the second electrolyte solution for a second time period to produce functionalized graphene.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to large scale synthesis of thinned graphite and in particular, few layers of graphene sheets and graphene-graphite composites. In some embodiments, a method for producing thinned crystalline graphite from precursor crystalline graphite using wet ball milling processes is disclosed herein. The method includes transferring crystalline graphite into a ball milling vessel that includes a grinding media. A first and a second solvent are transferred into the ball milling vessel and the ball milling vessel is rotated to cause the shearing of layers of the crystalline graphite to produce thinned crystalline graphite.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to the large scale production of functionalized graphene. In some embodiments, a method for producing functionalized graphene includes combining a crystalline graphite with a first electrolyte solution that includes at least one of a metal hydroxide salt, an oxidizer, and a surfactant. The crystalline graphite is then milled in the presence of the first electrolyte solution for a first time period to produce a thinned intermediate material. The thinned intermediate material is combined with a second electrolyte solution that includes a strong oxidizer and at least one of a metal hydroxide salt, a weak oxidizer, and a surfactant. The thinned intermediate material is then milled in the presence of the second electrolyte solution for a second time period to produce functionalized graphene.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to the large scale production of functionalized graphene. In some embodiments, a method for producing functionalized graphene includes combining a crystalline graphite with a first electrolyte solution that includes at least one of a metal hydroxide salt, an oxidizer, and a surfactant. The crystalline graphite is then milled in the presence of the first electrolyte solution for a first time period to produce a thinned intermediate material. The thinned intermediate material is combined with a second electrolyte solution that includes a strong oxidizer and at least one of a metal hydroxide salt, a weak oxidizer, and a surfactant. The thinned intermediate material is then milled in the presence of the second electrolyte solution for a second time period to produce functionalized graphene.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to large scale synthesis of thinned graphite and in particular, few layers of graphene sheets and graphene-graphite composites. In some embodiments, a method for producing thinned crystalline graphite from precursor crystalline graphite using wet ball milling processes is disclosed herein. The method includes transferring crystalline graphite into a ball milling vessel that includes a grinding media. A first and a second solvent are transferred into the ball milling vessel and the ball milling vessel is rotated to cause the shearing of layers of the crystalline graphite to produce thinned crystalline graphite.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for manufacturing a master batch with a graphitic material dispersed in a polymer matrix. In some embodiments, a method for manufacturing the master batch can include combining the graphitic material with a polymer, adding a supercritical fluid to the mixture, and depressurizing the supercritical fluid to remove the supercritical fluid. In some embodiments, the method includes mixing the graphitic material and the polymer for a first time period to form a first mixture and transferring the supercritical fluid to the first mixture to form a second mixture. In some embodiments, the method includes mixing the second mixture for a second time period and depressurizing the second mixture to allow the supercritical fluid to transition to a gas phase.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for manufacturing a master batch with a graphitic material dispersed in a polymer matrix. In some embodiments, a method for manufacturing the master batch can include combining the graphitic material with a polymer, adding a supercritical fluid to the mixture, and depressurizing the supercritical fluid to remove the supercritical fluid. In some embodiments, the method includes mixing the graphitic material and the polymer for a first time period to form a first mixture and transferring the supercritical fluid to the first mixture to form a second mixture. In some embodiments, the method includes mixing the second mixture for a second time period and depressurizing the second mixture to allow the supercritical fluid to transition to a gas phase.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to the large scale production of functionalized graphene. In some embodiments, a method for producing functionalized graphene includes combining a crystalline graphite with a first electrolyte solution that includes at least one of a metal hydroxide salt, an oxidizer, and a surfactant. The crystalline graphite is then milled in the presence of the first electrolyte solution for a first time period to produce a thinned intermediate material. The thinned intermediate material is combined with a second electrolyte solution that includes a strong oxidizer and at least one of a metal hydroxide salt, a weak oxidizer, and a surfactant. The thinned intermediate material is then milled in the presence of the second electrolyte solution for a second time period to produce functionalized graphene.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for manufacturing a master batch with a graphitic material dispersed in a polymer matrix. In some embodiments, a method for manufacturing the master batch can include combining the graphitic material with a polymer, adding a supercritical fluid to the mixture, and depressurizing the supercritical fluid to remove the supercritical fluid. In some embodiments, the method includes mixing the graphitic material and the polymer for a first time period to form a first mixture and transferring the supercritical fluid to the first mixture to form a second mixture. In some embodiments, the method includes mixing the second mixture for a second time period and depressurizing the second mixture to allow the supercritical fluid to transition to a gas phase.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to large scale synthesis of thinned graphite and in particular, few layers of graphene sheets and graphene-graphite composites. In some embodiments, a method for producing thinned crystalline graphite from precursor crystalline graphite using wet ball milling processes is disclosed herein. The method includes transferring crystalline graphite into a ball milling vessel that includes a grinding media. A first and a second solvent are transferred into the ball milling vessel and the ball milling vessel is rotated to cause the shearing of layers of the crystalline graphite to produce thinned crystalline graphite.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to the large scale production of functionalized graphene. In some embodiments, a method for producing functionalized graphene includes combining a crystalline graphite with a first electrolyte solution that includes at least one of a metal hydroxide salt, an oxidizer, and a surfactant. The crystalline graphite is then milled in the presence of the first electrolyte solution for a first time period to produce a thinned intermediate material. The thinned intermediate material is combined with a second electrolyte solution that includes a strong oxidizer and at least one of a metal hydroxide salt, a weak oxidizer, and a surfactant. The thinned intermediate material is then milled in the presence of the second electrolyte solution for a second time period to produce functionalized graphene.