Abstract: Various systems and methods relating to two-dimensional materials such as graphene. A membrane include a cross-linked graphene platelet polymer that includes a plurality of cross-linked graphene platelets. The cross-linked graphene platelets include a graphene portion and a cross-linking portion. The cross-linking portion contains a 4 to 10 atom link. The cross-linked graphene platelet polymer is produced by reaction of an epoxide functionalized graphene platelet and a (meth)acrylate or (meth)acrylamide functionalized cross-linker.

Abstract: A method for forming a lattice with precisely sized holes includes disposing cutter molecules with species attached about the periphery of each molecule on to the lattice. The method continues with the species cutting molecular bonds of the lattice so as to form precisely sized holes in the lattice. The edges of the holes may then be functionalized.

Abstract: Production of bulk quantities of graphene for commercial ventures has proven difficult due to scalability issues in certain instances. Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of graphene can address at least some of these issues. Methods for production of graphene by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition can include: providing a metal substrate and a carbonaceous electrode, at least a portion of the metal substrate being located proximate to the carbonaceous electrode with a gap defined therebetween; applying a potential between the metal substrate and the carbonaceous electrode; exciting a plasma-forming gas in the gap between the metal substrate and the carbonaceous electrode in the presence of the applied potential, thereby forming a plasma; ablating a reactive carbon species from the carbonaceous electrode in the presence of the plasma; and growing graphene on the metal substrate from the reactive carbon species.

Abstract: Perforated graphene sheets can be used in forming separation membranes. Separation membranes of the present disclosure, which can be used in gas separation processes in some embodiments, can include one or more layers of perforated graphene and one or more layers of another membrane material. Methods for separating a gas mixture can include contacting a gas mixture with the separation membranes, and transiting one or more of the gases through the perforated graphene so as to affect separation.

Abstract: Production of bulk quantities of graphene for commercial ventures has proven difficult due to scalability issues in certain instances. Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of graphene can address at least some of these issues. Methods for production of graphene by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition can include: providing a metal substrate and a carbonaceous electrode, at least a portion of the metal substrate being located proximate to the carbonaceous electrode with a gap defined therebetween; applying a potential between the metal substrate and the carbonaceous electrode; exciting a plasma-forming gas in the gap between the metal substrate and the carbonaceous electrode in the presence of the applied potential, thereby forming a plasma; ablating a reactive carbon species from the carbonaceous electrode in the presence of the plasma; and growing graphene on the metal substrate from the reactive carbon species.

Abstract: A method for making a nanoporous membrane is disclosed. The method provides a composite film comprising a two-dimensional material layer and a polymer layer, and then bombarding the composite film with energetic particles to form a plurality of pores through at least the two-dimensional material layer. The nanoporous membrane also has a two-dimensional material layer with a plurality of apertures therethrough and a polymer film layer adjacent one side of the graphene layer. The polymer film layer has a plurality of enlarged pores therethrough, which are aligned with the plurality of apertures. All of the enlarged pores may be concentrically aligned with all the apertures. In one embodiment the two-dimensional material layer is graphene.

Abstract: Structures comprising a first sheet of perforated two-dimensional material and a first plurality of spacer elements disposed between a surface of the first sheet of perforated two-dimensional material and at least one of a surface of a structural substrate and a surface of a second sheet of perforated two-dimensional material are disclosed, as well as related methods. The structures may further comprise a structural substrate, a second plurality of spacer elements, additional sheets of perforated two-dimensional material in direct contact with the first and/or said second sheet of perforated two-dimensional material and/or relief features in the surface of the structural substrate.

Abstract: Perforated graphene sheets can be used in forming separation membranes. Separation membranes of the present disclosure, which can be used in gas separation processes in some embodiments, can include one or more polymer layers and one or more layers of perforated graphene. Methods for separating a gas mixture can include contacting a gas mixture with the separation membranes, and transiting one or more of the gases through the perforated graphene so as to affect separation.

Abstract: It can be difficult to remove atomically thin films, such as graphene, graphene-based material and other two-dimensional materials, from a growth substrate and then to transfer the thin films to a secondary substrate. Tearing and conformality issues can arise during the removal and transfer processes. Processes for forming a composite structure by manipulating a two-dimensional material, such as graphene or graphene-base material, can include: providing a two-dimensional material adhered to a growth substrate; depositing a supporting layer on the two-dimensional material while the two-dimensional material is adhered to the growth substrate; and releasing the two-dimensional material from the growth substrate, the two-dimensional material remaining in contact with the supporting layer following release of the two-dimensional material from the growth substrate.

Abstract: A method for making a nanoporous membrane is disclosed. The method provides a composite film comprising an atomically thin material layer and a polymer layer, and then bombarding the composite film with energetic particles to form a plurality of pores through at least the atomically thin material layer. The nanoporous membrane also has a atomically thin material layer with a plurality of apertures therethrough and a polymer film layer adjacent one side of the graphene layer. The polymer film layer has a plurality of enlarged pores therethrough, which are aligned with the plurality of apertures. All of the enlarged pores may be concentrically aligned with all the apertures. In one embodiment the atomically thin material layer is graphene.

Abstract: A method for forming a lattice with precisely sized holes includes disposing cutter molecules with species attached about the periphery of each molecule on to the lattice. The method continues with the species cutting molecular bonds of the lattice so as to form precisely sized holes in the lattice. The edges of the holes may then be functionalized.

Abstract: Production of bulk quantities of graphene for commercial ventures has proven difficult due to scalability issues in certain instances. Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of graphene can address at least some of these issues. Methods for production of graphene by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition can include: providing a metal substrate and a carbonaceous electrode, at least a portion of the metal substrate being located proximate to the carbonaceous electrode with a gap defined therebetween; applying a potential between the metal substrate and the carbonaceous electrode; exciting a plasma-forming gas in the gap between the metal substrate and the carbonaceous electrode in the presence of the applied potential, thereby forming a plasma; ablating a reactive carbon species from the carbonaceous electrode in the presence of the plasma; and growing graphene on the metal substrate from the reactive carbon species.

Abstract: A polarimetric sensor includes a substrate and a plurality of aligned nanotube film patches arranged on the substrate. Each of the plurality of aligned nanotube film patches is oriented on the substrate to sense a different orientational component of electromagnetic radiation. For each of the plurality of aligned nanotube film patches, at least two contacts are arranged in electrical communication with the respective aligned nanotube film patch. The at least two electrodes are configured to conduct to an external circuit an electric signal generated in the respective aligned nanotube film patch when exposed to a respective orientational component of electromagnetic radiation.