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: 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: Embodiments described herein relate to anode particles coated with lithium, and methods of producing the same. In some aspects, a method can include melting lithium and a first plurality of graphene flakes together to form a suspension, coating an anode particle with the suspension to form a lithiated particle, the anode particle coated with a second plurality of graphene flakes, and applying a pressure to the lithiated particle. In some embodiments, the method can include heating the lithiated particle. Heating and application of pressure can facilitate diffusion of lithium toward a center region of the lithiated particle. In some embodiments, the method can further include coating the anode particle with the second plurality of graphene flakes. In some embodiments, the anode particle can include silicon, a silicon alloy, silicon oxide, and/or silicon dioxide.

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 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: In some aspects, a method can include applying a charge to a battery at an initial charge rate, the battery including an anode with silicon particles and graphene particles, a cathode, and a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode, the battery having a maximum voltage of Vmax, allowing the battery to rest for a first resting period, applying a charge to the battery at a first formation charge rate, discharging the battery at a first formation discharge rate, applying a charge to the battery at a second formation charge rate, the second formation charge rate greater than the first formation charge rate, discharging the battery at a second formation discharge rate, and applying a charge to the battery at a third formation charge rate to form the secondary battery, the third formation charge rate greater than or equal to the second formation charge rate.

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 to batteries with centerpins. In some aspects, a battery can include an electrode assembly formed in an annulus with a void volume in a center of the annulus, the electrode assembly including an anode and a cathode, a centerpin disposed in the void volume, the centerpin including graphene particles suspended in a polymer, the centerpin in physical contact with the electrode assembly and configured to provide structural support for the electrode assembly, and a battery housing disposed around an outside surface of the electrode assembly. In some embodiments, the void volume can be a first void volume, and the centerpin can include a second void volume. In some embodiments, the centerpin can include a slit that extends lengthwise along a length of the centerpin, the slit being an extension of the second void volume.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to electrodes containing yolk-sell electroactive materials. In some aspects, an anode can include a carbon shell having an outer surface and an inner volume, the carbon shell including a plurality of pinholes on the outer surface. The anode particle is disposed in the inner volume of the carbon shell, such that a portion of the inner volume includes a void space. The anode further includes a plurality of graphene flakes disposed on the outer surface of the carbon shell, the plurality of graphene flakes covering at least a portion of the pinholes. In some embodiments, at least about 50% of the inner volume of the carbon shell can include void space. In some embodiments, the plurality of graphene flakes can cover at least about 90% of the pinholes.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein can include a composition comprising a thermoset resin with a plurality of graphene flakes dispersed therein, each of the plurality of graphene flakes having a lateral dimension and a thickness. The composition further comprises a reinforcement material dispersed in the thermoset resin. At least about 90% of the plurality of graphene flakes are oriented such that the lateral dimension is within about 10 degrees of a parallel alignment with a horizontal plane. In some embodiments, at least about 95%, or at least about 99% of the plurality of graphene flakes are oriented such that the lateral dimension is within about 10 degrees of a parallel alignment with the horizontal plane. In some embodiments, the reinforcement material can include at least one of a plurality of fibers or a plurality of beads.

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: A nanocomposite includes one or more graphene-based materials (GMs), a nitrogen-containing polymer (an N-polymer), and elemental sulfur (S). The nanocomposite is suitable for use as a stable, high capacity electrode for rechargeable batteries such as lithium-sulfur (Li—S) batteries. Example methods of fabricating a nanocomposite include the addition of an N-polymer to a dispersion (e.g., an aqueous dispersion) or slurry of GMs mixed with a sulfur sol. The N-polymer can interact strongly with the GMs to form a cross-linked network. In one embodiment, hydrothermal treatment of the aqueous dispersion or slurry is used to melt the sulfur such that it becomes distributed within the network formed by the GMs and the N-polymer. The resulting nanocomposite material can then be processed through the addition of one or more other binders and/or solvents, and formed into a final electrode.

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 to non-oxidized graphene-based anti-viral surfaces, and methods of producing the same. In some embodiments, a method of forming an anti-viral surface can include mixing a non-oxidized edge-functionalized graphene with a catalyst and a thermoset material to form a mixture, applying a high-shear mixing process to the mixture to form a mixed liquid, and coating the mixed liquid onto a base surface to form the anti-viral surface. In some embodiments, the method can further include chemically treating the graphene to produce the non-oxidized edge-functionalized graphene. In some embodiments, the thermoset material can include a thermoset matrix. In some embodiments, the method can include dispersing the non-oxidized edge-functionalized graphene into the thermoset matrix via the high-shear mixing. In some embodiments, dispersing the non-oxidized edge-functionalized graphene into the thermoset matrix can be via a ball mill, a high-shear mixer, and/or a homogenizer.

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.