Process for in-situ functionalization of graphene

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.

1 . A process for in situ functionalization of graphene comprising:
 placing a graphitic precursor in an exfoliation cannister with exfoliation media;   creating an inert atmosphere in said exfoliation cannister;   exfoliating said graphitic precursor to form graphene having carboxyl moieties; and   reacting the carboxyl moieties in said exfoliation cannister under conditions and in the presence of a substance to chemically reduce or react the carboxyl moieties during the exfoliating to produce hydrophobic graphene.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said conditions are a temperature of between 260 and 500° C. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said substance comprises a catalyst. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said substance consists of a catalyst. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 3  wherein said catalyst is palladium, iron trichloride, or cyclohexanone. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said substance further comprises an alkane, an alkene, an allyl, or a combination thereof, said substance being gaseous or liquid under standard temperature and pressure (STP). 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said inert atmosphere is nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, ethylene gas, fluorinated gases, phosphorus containing gases, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said substance is a reagent of N-cyclohexyl-N′-(2-morpholinoethyl)carbodiimide (CMC). 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said reacting the carboxyl moieties in said exfoliation cannister yields an intermediate anhydride. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 9  further comprising reacting said anhydride with a primary amine to form an amide. 
     
     
         11 . A process of molding an article comprising:
 intermixing a thermoplastic in a molten state with said hydrophobic graphene produced by the process of  claim 1  to form a dispersion of said hydrophobic graphene in said thermoplastic;   injecting a melt of said dispersion of said hydrophobic graphene in said thermoplastic into a mold having a cavity complementary to the article; and   allowing said melt to cool to form the article.