Graphene exhibits both high electrical conductivity and large elastic modulus, which makes it an ideal material candidate for many electronic devices. At present not much work has been conducted on using graphene to construct thermoelectric devices, particularly due to its high thermal conductivity and lack of bulk fabrication.

Films of graphene-based materials, however, and their nanocomposites have been shown to be promising candidates for thermoelectric energy generation. Exploring methods to enhance the thermoelectric performance of graphene and produce bulk samples can significantly widen its application in thermoelectrics.

Realization of bulk organic materials in the thermoelectric community is highly desired to develop cheap, Earth-Abundant, light, and non-toxic thermoelectric generators. In this context, this work reports a new approach using pressed pellets bars of few layered graphene (FLG) nanoflakes employed in thermoelectric generators (TEGs). Firstly, FLG nano-flakes were produced by a novel dry physical grinding technique followed by graphene nano-flakes liberation using plasma treatment.

The resultant material is highly pure with very low defects, possessing 3 to 5-layers stack as proved by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction measurement and scanning electron microscopy. The thermal and electronic properties confirm the anisotropy of the material and hence the varied performance characteristics parallel to and perpendicular to the pressing direction of the pellets. The full thermoelectric properties were characterized both parallel and perpendicular to the pressing direction, and the proof of concept thermoelectric generators were fabricated with variable amounts of legs.

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Breakthrough Performance Achieved in Materials Through Combining XG Sciences’ Graphene Nanoplatelets and Perpetuus’ Patented Exfoliation and Nano Surface Engineering Process. 

Several crucial problems, such as rapid population growth and extended demands for food, water and fuels, could lead to a severe lack of clean water and an energy crisis in the coming decade. Therefore, low-cost and highly-efficient technologies related to filtration of alternative water supplies (e.g., purification of wastewater and water-rich liquids) and advanced energy storage (e.g., supercapacitors) could play a crucial role to overcome such challenges. 

A promising class of solid materials for these purposes is exfoliated graphene, and more specifically, its nanoporous forms that exhibit large specific surface areas and pore volumes. In the current work, two plasma-exfoliated graphene-based materials with distinctive morphological and porosity features, including non-porous and low-specific surface area platelets versus nanoporous and high-specific surface area flakes, were tested as filters for water purification purposes (i.e., decolourization and deacidification) and as electrodes for supercapacitors (i.e., ion electrosorption). 

The findings of this study suggest that a nanoporous and large specific surface area graphene-based material promotes the water purification behaviour by removing contaminants from water-based solutions as well as the energy storage performance by confining ions of aqueous electrolytes. 

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Breakthrough Performance Achieved in Materials Through Combining XG Sciences’ Graphene Nanoplatelets and Perpetuus’ Patented Exfoliation and Nano Surface Engineering Process. 

LANSING, MI, December 09, 2019 – XG Sciences, Inc., a market leader in the design and manufacture of graphene nanoplatelets and advanced materials containing graphene nanoplatelets, announced it has entered into commercialisation and License Agreements with Perpetuus Advanced Materials, a market leader in the production of dispersible, surface-modified graphene to optimize their performance in a range of matrices and end-use markets.

The Agreements provide the commercial framework allowing the two companies to more closely collaborate in the exclusive supply of functionalized graphene into the North American market and to also collaboratively develop applications for the global marketplace. Initially, the Companies will focus efforts on elastomers, with an emphasis on tires and related applications, but may expand the relationship over time to include other markets and applications. Under the Agreements, Perpetuus will locate one or more of its patented, plasma-based surfaces-modification production plants in the U.S. near one of XG Sciences’ graphene nanoplatelet production facilities. The collaboration contemplates both product development collaboration and high-volume commercial supply.

First isolated and characterized in 2004, graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms. Among many noted properties, monolayer graphene is harder than diamonds, lighter than steel but significantly stronger, and conducts electricity better than copper. Graphene nanoplatelets are particles consisting of multiple layers of graphene with unique capabilities for energy storage, thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, barrier properties, lubricity and the ability to impart physical property improvements when incorporated into plastics, metals or other matrices.

“We have been working with Perpetuus in various commercial and development efforts for the past several years. This Agreement represents a key milestone in the commercial adoption of graphene and establishes XG Sciences and Perpetuus as marque players in the supply of graphene for use in tire elastomers and other applications,” said Dr. Philip Rose, CEO, XG Sciences. “The North American elastomer market, especially those used in tires is substantial. Perpetuus has unique technology with demonstrated performance enhancements when incorporated into tires. Tires will likely represent one of the break-out applications for graphene and we are now well-positioned with Perpetuus to deliver solutions to the elastomer market,” said Bamidele Ali, Chief Commercial Officer, XG Sciences

.“XG Sciences is a well-known leader in the graphene field and is an ideal choice with whom to partner to bring our technology to this important market,” said John Buckland, CEO, Perpetuus. “We are familiar with XG Sciences’ graphene nanoplatelets and we have been utilizing them as input materials to our patented, surface-modification process and supplying the resulting high-performance graphenes to both commercial and developmental customers in a range of applications and markets. It

After 18 months of close collaboration between Perpetuus and Vittoria scientists, development work along with extensive laboratory to terrain testing has been completed on the first commercial elastomer to contain hybrid graphene fillers for the tire industry.  

A new standard for nano surface engineered graphenes for cycle tires has now been established.

This next generation graphene technology enables Vittoria to offer its customers tires that are superior to all others within the cycle tire market. Vittoria’s Generation II range of tires are currently “on the road” and have now been officially launched in a Bangkok based event on the 25^th of February 2019.

Perpetuus Director Ian Walters stated, “It’s been a pleasure working in the professional environment offered within the Vittoria Advanced Tire Development Facility, with a team of scientists and technicians who have established genuine know-how regarding the inclusion of graphenes into elastomeric tire compounds. Perpetuus are looking forward to launching further products in tire and other fields later this year and early 2020”.

A combination of the Perpetuus nano surface modified graphenes technology and Vittoria’s world class knowledge in the field of bicycle tires, has resulted in a range of tires that are as good as or better than any competitive product. At last graphene as broken through into the mass market and established the first real world commercial application