Provided is a method for synthesizing carbon agglomerates containing metastable carbyne/carbynoid chains; a method for synthesizing carbon or carbon compound allotropes from the agglomerates containing metastable carbyne/carbynoid chains; and the uses of the methods. The method for synthesizing carbon agglomerates containing metastable carbyne/carbynoid chains includes the following steps: a) forming carbon vapor precursors, containing carbine/carbynoid chains, by decomposing a carbon gas selected from among CH.sub.4, C.sub.2H.sub.2, C.sub.2H.sub.4, gaseous toluene, and benzene in the form of vapors at a temperature T such that 1 500° C.<T≦3 000° C.; and b) condensing the carbon vapor precursors, obtained in Step a), on the surface of a substrate, the temperature Ts of which is less than the temperature T. The invention is particularly of use in the field of electronics.

A material of porous graphene nanowires with a pore-rich structure is formed by synthesis of catalyst nanowires for porous graphene nanowires, chemical vapor deposition of a carbon source on the catalysts to grow graphene, removal of residual catalyst, and formation of the porous graphene nanowires. The porous graphene nanowires can be used as an electrochemical energy storage material, carriers of catalysts, a conductive material, an adsorption material, a desorption material, or the like.

Embodiments described herein relate generally to large scale synthesis of thinned graphite and in particular, few layers of graphene sheets and graphene-graphite composites. In some embodiments, a method for producing thinned crystalline graphite from precursor crystalline graphite using wet ball milling processes is disclosed herein. The method includes transferring crystalline graphite into a ball milling vessel that includes a grinding media. A first and a second solvent are transferred into the ball milling vessel and the ball milling vessel is rotated to cause the shearing of layers of the crystalline graphite to produce thinned crystalline graphite.

Embodiments described herein relate generally to large scale synthesis of thinned graphite and in particular, few layers of graphene sheets and graphene-graphite composites. In some embodiments, a method for producing thinned crystalline graphite from precursor crystalline graphite using wet ball milling processes is disclosed herein. The method includes transferring crystalline graphite into a ball milling vessel that includes a grinding media. A first and a second solvent are transferred into the ball milling vessel and the ball milling vessel is rotated to cause the shearing of layers of the crystalline graphite to produce thinned crystalline graphite.

Apparatus and methods are provided that are capable of mass production of particulate materials, such as graphene particulates. The apparatus comprises an ignition assembly that comprises readily interchangeable electrode cassettes and that may be configured to self-clean in between the combustion cycles in which the particulate materials are generated. Methods of generating the particulate materials require low energy inputs in order to initiate the combustion reaction, which is then self-sustaining until the reactants are depleted.

Apparatus and methods are provided that are capable of mass production of particulate materials, such as graphene particulates. The apparatus comprises an ignition assembly that comprises readily interchangeable electrode cassettes and that may be configured to self-clean in between the combustion cycles in which the particulate materials are generated. Methods of generating the particulate materials require low energy inputs in order to initiate the combustion reaction, which is then self-sustaining until the reactants are depleted.

Several variations of synthetic carbon materials are disclosed. The materials can assume a variety of properties, including high electrical conductivity. The materials also can have favorable structural and mechanical properties. They can form gas impenetrable barriers, form insulating structures, and can have unique optical properties.

Several variations of synthetic carbon materials are disclosed. The materials can assume a variety of properties, including high electrical conductivity. The materials also can have favorable structural and mechanical properties. They can form gas impenetrable barriers, form insulating structures, and can have unique optical properties.

A method of forming a liquid dispersion of 2D material/graphitic nanoplatelets in an aqueous solution is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of (1) creating a dispersing medium; (2) mixing the 2D material/graphitic nanoplatelets into the dispersing medium; and (3) subjecting the 2D material/graphitic nanoplatelets to sufficient shear forces and or crushing forces to reduce the particle size of the 2D material/graphitic nanoplatelets using a mechanical means. The liquid dispersion comprises the 2D material/graphitic nanoplatelets, at least one grinding media, water, and at least one wetting agent, and that the at least one grinding media is water soluble or functionalised to be water soluble.

A method of forming a liquid dispersion of 2D material/graphitic nanoplatelets in an aqueous solution is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of (1) creating a dispersing medium; (2) mixing the 2D material/graphitic nanoplatelets into the dispersing medium; and (3) subjecting the 2D material/graphitic nanoplatelets to sufficient shear forces and or crushing forces to reduce the particle size of the 2D material/graphitic nanoplatelets using a mechanical means. The liquid dispersion comprises the 2D material/graphitic nanoplatelets, at least one grinding media, water, and at least one wetting agent, and that the at least one grinding media is water soluble or functionalised to be water soluble.