US Patent 8132746 - Low-temperature method of producing nanoscale graphene platelets

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8132746.html

This patent from Nanotek Instruments teaches a new method of producing nanoscale graphene platelets (NGPs) at reduced temperature. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of exfoliating a layered material to produce separated nano-scaled platelets having a thickness smaller than 100 nm, said method comprising:

a) providing an acid-intercalated graphite compound;

b) exposing said graphite intercalation compound to an exfoliation temperature lower than 600° C. for a duration of time sufficient to at least partially exfoliate said layered graphite; and

c) subjecting said at least partially exfoliated graphite to a mechanical shearing treatment to produce said separated nano-scaled platelets.