Abstract: Methods of growing a multilayer graphene film (10) include flowing a weak oxidizing vapor (OV) and a gaseous carbon source (CS) over a surface (SGC) of a carbonizing catalyst (GC) in a CVD reaction chamber (2). Carbon atoms (C) deposit on the carbonizing catalyst surface to form sheets of single-layer graphene (12) upon cooling. The method generates a substantially uniform stacking of graphene layers to form the multilayer graphene film. The multilayer graphene film is substantially uniform and has a relatively large scale as compared to graphene films formed by prior-art methods.

Abstract: A method of preparing a porous graphene oxide material. The method includes the steps of: (1) preparing graphene oxide sheets from graphite at 40 to 170° C.; (2) providing a graphene oxide suspension containing the graphene oxide sheets; (3) heating the graphene oxide suspension with a base at 25 to 300° C. for 0.1 to 48 hours to obtain base-treated graphene oxide sheets; and (4) heating a mixture of the base-treated graphene oxide sheets and an acid at 25 to 300° C. for 0.1 to 48 hours to yield the porous graphene oxide material. Also disclosed are novel porous graphene oxide materials and methods of using these materials as catalysts.

Abstract: Methods of delaminating a graphene film (60) from a metal substrate (50) are disclosed that substantially preserve the metal substrate. The methods include forming a support layer (80) on the graphene film and then performing an electrochemical process in an electrochemical apparatus (10). The electrochemical process creates gas bubbles (36) at the metal-film interface (64), thereby causing the delamination. The graphene film and support layer form a structure (86) that is collected by a take-up roller (120). The support layer and graphene structure are then separated to obtain the graphene film.

Abstract: A tandem solar cell with graphene interlayer and method of making are disclosed. The graphene interlayer can serve as a recombination contact to a pair of photoactive subcells electrically connected in series or as a common electrode to a pair of photoactive subcells electrically connected in parallel. The highly conducting, transparent nature, and easily modifiable chemical and electrical properties of a graphene interlayer enable tunable energy matching to the photoactive subcells. Using different photoactive subcells that can harvest light across the solar spectrum results in a tandem solar cell that can achieve high power conversion efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for transferring a thin film from a first substrate to a second substrate comprising the steps of: providing a transfer structure and a thin film provided on a surface of a first substrate, the transfer structure comprising a support layer and a film contact layer, wherein the transfer structure contacts the thin film; removing the first substrate to obtain the transfer structure with the thin film in contact with the film contact layer; contacting the transfer structure obtained with a surface of a second substrate; and removing the film contact layer, thereby transferring the thin film onto the surface of the second substrate.

Abstract: Processes for forming expanded hexagonal layered minerals (HLMs) and derivatives thereof using electrochemical charging are disclosed. The process includes employing HLM rocks (20) as electrodes (100) immersed in an electrolytic slurry (50) that includes an organic solvent, metal ions and expanded HLM (24). The electrolysis introduces organic solvent and ions from the metal salt from the slurry into the interlayer spacings that separate the atomic interlayers of the HLM rock, thereby forming 1st-stage charged HLM that exfoliates from the HLM rock. The process includes expanding the electrochemically 1st-stage charged HLM by applying an expanding force.

Abstract: Methods of forming graphene by graphite exfoliation, wherein the methods include: providing a graphite sample having atomic layers of carbon; introducing a salt and a solvent into the space between the atomic layers; expanding the space between the atomic layers using organic molecules and ions from the solvent and the salt; and separating the atomic layers using a driving force to form one or more sheets of graphene; the graphene produced by the methods can be used to form solar cells, to perform DNA analysis, and for other electrical, optical and biological applications.

Abstract: A coated substrate includes a substrate and a coating containing a water insoluble polymer and a water soluble polymer, the two polymers, due to different water affinity, forming a nanosegregant on the substrate. Also disclosed are a method of preparing the above-described coated substrate and the use of this coated substrate in a solid-state supercapacitor.

Abstract: There is provided a conjugated molecule that is useful as a conductive path in an electronic device. The conjugated molecule includes at least one p/n junction so as to provide a direction to electron flow and one end alligator clip group which allows for self-orientation of the molecule during assembly in a device, resulting in an asymmetric structure of the molecule. The conjugated molecule may be used in diodes, molecular switches, transistors, and in the manufacture of memory devices.