Reduction of graphene oxide to graphene in high boiling point solvents

Abstract

A method of creating graphene comprising the steps of dispersing graphene oxide into water to form a dispersion. Where the method further comprises adding a solvent to the dispersion to form a solution, and controlling a temperature of the solution to form graphene.

1 . A method of creating graphene comprising the steps of:
 dispersing graphene oxide into water to form a dispersion;   adding a solvent to the dispersion to form a solution; and   controlling a temperature of the solution to form graphene, wherein the step of adding a solvent is the only step that uses a substance other than water to form graphene from graphene oxide.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein dispersing the graphene oxide into water comprises dispersing the graphene oxide into the water by sonication. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the dispersion comprises a ratio of approximately one milligram of graphene oxide to approximately one milliliter of water. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the solvent is a water miscible solvent. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the water miscible solvent is at least one of n-methylpyrrolidone, ethylene glycol, glycerin, dimethylpyrrolidone, acetone, tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, an amine and an alcohol. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein adding solvent to the dispersion further comprises adding an amount of solvent approximately equivalent to the amount of the dispersion. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein controlling the temperature of the solution comprises heating the solution to approximately 200° C. to form a reduction. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein controlling the temperature of the solution further comprises the step of stirring the solution while heating the solution. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein controlling the temperature of the solution further comprises the step of holding a temperature of the solution at approximately 200° C. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein controlling the temperature of the solution further comprises holding a temperature of the solution once the water has evaporated from the solution. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein controlling the temperature of the solution further comprises heating the solution in at least one of an autoclave and a high pressure chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising purifying the reduction. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein purifying the reduction comprises the steps of:
 dispersing the reduction in acetone to form a dispersed reduction; 
 centrifuging the dispersed reduction; and 
 filtering the dispersed reduction in acetone. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the graphene oxide is dispersed in water by sonication, and the dispersion comprises a ratio of approximately two milligrams of graphene oxide to approximately one milliliter of water. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the solvent is a water miscible solvent that comprises at least one of n-methylpyrrolidone, ethylene glycol, glycerin, dimethylpyrrolidone, acetone, tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, an amine and an alcohol. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein adding solvent to the dispersion comprises adding an amount of solvent approximately equivalent to one half the amount of dispersion. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein controlling the temperature of the solution comprises the steps of:
 heating the solution to approximately 200° C.; 
 adding, intermittently, solvent to the solution as water boils off such that the amount of solvent added is approximately equivalent to the amount of water that has boiled off; 
 stirring the solution; and 
 holding the temperature of the solution to form a reduction once all the water has evaporated. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein controlling the temperature of the solution further comprises heating the solution in an autoclave or a high pressure chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising purifying the reduction. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein purifying the reduction further comprises the steps of:
 dispersing the reduction in acetone to form a dispersed reduction; 
 centrifuging the dispersed reduction; and 
 filtering the dispersed reduction in acetone. 
 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method does not require the use of hydrazine.