Production of graphene using electromagnetic radiation

Abstract

Methods for converting graphite oxide into graphene by exposure to electromagnetic radiation are described. As an example, graphene oxide may be rapidly converted into graphene upon exposure to converged sunlight.

1 . An apparatus for producing graphene from graphite oxide, the apparatus comprising:
 a device configured to output electromagnetic radiation and impinge the electromagnetic radiation on graphite oxide with an intensity of about 0.5 watts/cm 2  to about 7 watts/cm 2  .   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation has one or more wavelengths of about 250 nm to about 2,500 nm. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the device configured to generate output electromagnetic radiation and impinge the electromagnetic radiation on graphite oxide comprises a source configured to produce electromagnetic radiation of an intensity of about 0.5 watts/cm 2  to about 7 watts/cm 2 . 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the source configured to produce the electromagnetic radiation of an intensity of about 0.5 watts/cm 2  to about 7 watts/cm 2  comprises an incandescent bulb, a flash tube, a LED, a laser, an IR lamp, a Xenon lamp, a UV lamp, a High Intensity Discharge lamp, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the device configured to output electromagnetic radiation and impinge the electromagnetic radiation on graphite oxide with an intensity of about 0.5 watts/cm 2  to about 7 watts/cm 2  comprises at least one apparatus configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from a source of electromagnetic radiation, and increase the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation to impinge the graphite oxide with the electromagnetic radiation of an intensity of about 0.5 watts/cm 2  to about 7 watts/cm 2 . 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the device configured to output electromagnetic radiation and impinge the electromagnetic radiation on graphite oxide comprises a refractile material configured to concentrate a natural or artificial source of electromagnetic radiation to the intensity of about 0.5 watts/cm 2  to about 7 watts/cm 2 . 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the device configured to output electromagnetic radiation and impinge the electromagnetic radiation on graphite oxide comprises a converging lens configured to concentrate a natural or artificial source of electromagnetic radiation to the intensity of about 0.5 watts/cm 2  to about 7 watts/cm 2 . 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the device configured to output electromagnetic radiation and impinge the electromagnetic radiation on graphite oxide comprises a converging mirror configured to concentrate a natural or artificial source of electromagnetic radiation to the intensity of about 0.5 watts/cm 2  to about 7 watts/cm 2 . 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the device configured to output electromagnetic radiation and impinge the electromagnetic radiation on graphite oxide comprises at least one of a refractile material and a converging mirror configured to receive natural sunlight, and concentrate the natural sunlight to impinge the graphite oxide with an intensity of at least about 1.1 watts/cm 2 . 
     
     
         10 . A kit for producing graphene from graphite oxide, the kit comprising:
 graphite oxide; and   a device configured to output electromagnetic radiation and impinge electromagnetic radiation having an intensity of about 0.5 watts/cm 2  to about 7 watts/cm 2  on the graphite oxide.   
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the device configured to output electromagnetic radiation and impinge the electromagnetic radiation on graphite oxide comprises a source configured to produce electromagnetic radiation having at least one wavelength of about 250 nm to 2,500 nm and the intensity of about 0.5 watts/cm 2  to about 7 watts/cm 2 . 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein the source configured to produce the electromagnetic radiation comprises an incandescent bulb, a flash tube, a LED, a laser, an IR lamp, a Xenon lamp, a UV lamp, a High Intensity Discharge lamp, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the device configured to output electromagnetic radiation of and impinge the electromagnetic radiation on the graphite oxide comprises at least one apparatus configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from a source of electromagnetic radiation, and increase the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation to impinge the graphite oxide with the electromagnetic radiation of an intensity of about 0.5 watts/cm 2  to about 7 watts/cm 2 . 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the device configured to generate output electromagnetic radiation and impinge the electromagnetic radiation on the graphite oxide comprises a refractile material configured to concentrate and focus a natural or artificial source of electromagnetic radiation to the intensity of about 0.5 watts/cm 2  to about 7 watts/cm 2 . 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the device configured to output electromagnetic radiation and impinge the electromagnetic radiation on graphite oxide comprises a converging lens configured to concentrate and focus a natural or artificial source of electromagnetic radiation to the intensity of about 0.5 watts/cm 2  to about 7 watts/cm 2 . 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the device configured to output electromagnetic radiation and impinge the electromagnetic radiation on graphite oxide comprises a converging mirror configured to concentrate and focus a natural or artificial source of electromagnetic radiation to the intensity of about 0.5 watts/cm 2  to about 7 watts/cm 2 . 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the device configured to output electromagnetic radiation and impinge the electromagnetic radiation on graphite oxide comprises at least one of a refractile material and a converging mirror configured to receive natural sunlight, and concentrate the natural sunlight to impinge the graphite oxide with an intensity of at least about 1.1 watts/cm 2 . 
     
     
         18 . A graphene having a conductivity state of greater than about 1,000 S/m, an oxygen content less than about 5% by weight, and capable of producing a Raman spectrum having bands at about 1360 cm −1  and about 1570 cm −1 , wherein the intensity of the band at about 1360 cm −1  is less than or equal to about half the intensity of the band at about 1570 c −1 . 
     
     
         19 . The graphene of  claim 18 , wherein the conductivity state is greater than about 1,400 S/m, and the intensity of the band at about 1360 cm −1  is about two-tenths of the intensity of the band at about 1570 cm −1 . 
     
     
         20 . The graphene of  claim 18 , wherein the graphene is produced by exposing graphite oxide to focused sunlight having an intensity of about 0.5 watts/cm 2  to about 7 watts/cm 2 .