Menu Close

Graphene Nanoplatelets

Graphene nanoplatelets represent a new class of carbon nanoparticles with multifunctional properties.  Graphene nanoplatelets have a “platelet” morphology, meaning they have a very thin but wide aspect ratio.  This unique size and platelet morphology  makes these particles especially effective at providing barrier properties, while their pure graphitic composition makes them excellent electrical and thermal conductors.

Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNPs) consist of small stacks of graphene that can replace carbon fiber, carbon nanotubes, nano-clays, or other compounds in many composite applications. When they are added at 2-5wt% to plastics or resins they make these materials electrically or thermally conductive and less permeable to gasses, while simultaneously improving mechanical properties like strength, stiffness, or surface toughness.

Graphene nanoplatelets with an average thickness of the 5 – 10 nanometers are offered in varying sizes up to 50 microns. These interesting nanoparticles are comprised of short stacks of platelet-shaped graphene sheets that are identical to those found in the walls of carbon nanotubes, but in a planar form. Hydrogen or covalent bonding capability can be added through functionalization at sites on the edges of the platelets.

Enhanced barrier properties and improved mechanical properties (stiffness, strength, and surface hardness) can be achieved with the graphene nanoplatelets due to their unique size and morphology. The nanoplatelets are also excellent excellent electrical and thermal conductors as a result of their pure graphitic composition.

Graphene nanoplatelets are 6-8 nm thick with a bulk density of 0.03 to 0.1 g/cc, an oxygen content of <1% and a carbon content of >99.5 wt% and a residual acid content of <0.5 wt%, and are offered as black granules.

Graphene nanoplatelets

Graphene nanoplatelet aggregates are aggregates of sub-micron platelets with a diameter of <2 microns and a thickness of a few nanometers, a bulk density of 0.2 to 0.4 g/cc, an oxygen content of <2 wt% and a carbon content of >98 wt%, and are offered as black granules or black powder.

 

Graphene Nanoplatelets Properties

graphene-nanoplatelets-properties-chart

The main properties of Graphene Nanoplatelets are electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, mechanical reinforcement, and gas barrier layers. GNPs properties can be influenced by its manufacturing methods. Our graphene nanoplatelets are made by exfoliating graphite down to 5-15 atomic layers.  The methods used vary but the typically used processes are chemical exfoliation (which adds defects to the product) or dry exfoliation with plasma.  Dielectric Barrier Discharge is a plasma process and is how our research grade GNPs are made. They enhance mechanical properties and are some of the highest electrically & thermally conductive carbon additive materials you can buy. They can be surface functionalized by introducing the desired species during the exfoliation process.

Graphene Nanoplatelets Applications

graphene-nanoplatelets-applications

Graphene Nanoplatelets applications are quickly advancing from the R&D lab to commercial scale products. They are extremely useful as nanoscale additives for resistive heaters, advanced composites, as an electrode in advanced batteries and ultra/super capacitors, as the conductive component in specialty coatings or adhesives, and as a component of e-inks or printable electronic circuits.

Wide Applicability Because of their unique nanoscale size, shape, and material composition, graphene nanoplatelets can be used to improve the properties of a wide range of polymeric materials, including thermoplastic and thermoset composites, natural or synthetic rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, adhesives, paints and coatings.

The graphene nanoplates are offered in a granular form that in water, organic solvents and polymers with the right choice of dispersion aids, equipment and techniques. Used alone, graphene nanoplatelets can replace both conventional and nanoscale additives while expanding the range of properties being modified. Other graphene nanoplatelets applications include exceptionally strong and impermeable packaging, better lubricants, and a recent publication even demonstrates that our conductive research grade GNPs, surface-treated with sensitized molecules, can be used to produce highly sensitive bio-sensors.

Used in combination with other additives, they help reduce cost and expand property modification. With graphene nanoplatelets, you can:

  •  Increase thermal conductivity and stability
  • Increase electrical conductivity
  • Improve barrier properties
  • Reduce component mass while maintaining or improving properties
  • Increase stiffness
  • Increase toughness (impact strength)
  • Improve appearance, including scratch and mar resistance
  • Increase flame retardance

Graphene Nanoplatelets Price

Graphene Nanoplatelets price is typically based on quality and volume.  Industrial grade GNPs are cheaper, have a larger number of layers, more defects in the structure, a lower specific surface area and range from $50- $75 per kg for commercial volumes (tonnage) and $15 for small quantities.  Research grade GNPs price range is from $65-$90 per kg for commercial volumes and $35-$40 per gram for small quantities.  The prices decline as volume increases.

Graphene Nanoplatelets Dispersions

Graphene Nanoplatelets come in various sizes and grades, and these particles disperse well in many systems depending on the host system. xGnP® Graphene Nanoplatelets are very thin, (5-10 nanometers in thickness) flat particles with quite large diameters.

Because of the flat shape of these particles, they are especially sensitive to van der Waals attractive forces and have a tendency to re-aggregate in the dry state. These granules are friable collections of individual platelets that prevent agglomerations and are easily broken with mechanical agitation.

We understand that our customers have different approaches to their developments and we work within many frameworks.

Various dispersions of  xGnP® Graphene Nanoplatelets can be ordered instead of bulk powder:

  • Aqueous
  • IPA
  • Organic Solvents
  • Resins and Custom

Graphene Nanoplatelets dispersions are available from Cheap Tubes Inc. Please let us know your requirements for solvent, surfactants, and loading ratios.  Graphene nanoplatelet disperison is typically achieved with an ultrasonic probe, a high shear mixer, or a 3 roll mill with the rollers rotating at different speeds to create shear.  Best practice is to add the surfactant right at the end of the dispersion process. Our plasma exfoliated graphene nanoplatelets disperse much more easily than competing products.  When present, functional groups are bonded to the edges of the individual graphene sheets to promote dispersion. Our functionalized graphene nanoplatelets are the right choice for many industrial applications and are available on the ton level. The available functionalized graphene nanoplatelets with O+ (all of the oxygen groups) COOH, NH2, N2, & F groups to chose from will enable compatibility with a wide range of industrial processes.

 

 

Posted in Graphene

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.