A method of exfoliating layered, shearable material is described. Examples are provided including exfoliation of graphite to form graphene nanoplatelets. Also described is a machine for preparing nanoplatelets that includes a chamber whose volume can be increased by pressure exerted by the exfoliated product. Composites of graphene nanoplatelets and polyamide exhibited improved flexural modulus compared to that of graphite composites while impact strength was unaffected.

A composite material includes: coated particles, each of which includes a carbon-based particle made of a carbon-based substance and a carbide layer that covers at least a part of the surface of the carbon-based particle; and a copper phase that binds the coated particles to each other, wherein the carbide layer is made of a carbide containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of Si, Ti, Zr and Hf, and the average particle size of the carbon-based particles is 1 m or more and 100 m or less.

A composite material includes: coated particles, each of which includes a carbon-based particle made of a carbon-based substance and a carbide layer that covers at least a part of the surface of the carbon-based particle; and a copper phase that binds the coated particles to each other, wherein the carbide layer is made of a carbide containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of Si, Ti, Zr and Hf, and the average particle size of the carbon-based particles is 1 m or more and 100 m or less.

A chemically functionalized carbon lattice formed by a process comprising heating a carbon lattice nucleus in a reactor to a temperature between room temperature and 1500 C. The process also may comprise exposing the carbon lattice nucleus to carbonaceous gas to adsorb carbon atoms in the carbonaceous gas onto edges of the carbon lattice nucleus, covalently bond the adsorbed carbon atoms to one another in polyatomic rings, a portion of the polyatomic rings comprising non-hexagonal rings, covalently bond the polyatomic rings to one another in one or more new lattice regions extending off the carbon lattice nucleus thereby forming an engineered lattice incorporating the non-hexagonal rings, exposing a portion of the engineered lattice to one or more chemicals to bond at least one of a functional group and molecule to the engineered lattice.

A chemically functionalized carbon lattice formed by a process comprising heating a carbon lattice nucleus in a reactor to a temperature between room temperature and 1500 C. The process also may comprise exposing the carbon lattice nucleus to carbonaceous gas to adsorb carbon atoms in the carbonaceous gas onto edges of the carbon lattice nucleus, covalently bond the adsorbed carbon atoms to one another in polyatomic rings, a portion of the polyatomic rings comprising non-hexagonal rings, covalently bond the polyatomic rings to one another in one or more new lattice regions extending off the carbon lattice nucleus thereby forming an engineered lattice incorporating the non-hexagonal rings, exposing a portion of the engineered lattice to one or more chemicals to bond at least one of a functional group and molecule to the engineered lattice.

Shaped porous carbon products and processes for preparing these products are provided. The shaped porous carbon products can be used, for example, as catalyst supports and adsorbents. Catalyst compositions including these shaped porous carbon products, processes of preparing the catalyst compositions, and various processes of using the shaped porous carbon products and catalyst compositions are also provided.

Method of producing a high strength (with improved tensile strength and elongation at break properties), high quality, cost effective, nanoparticle enhanced polyurea, polyurethane, and epoxy composites with chemical bonding into polymer backbone. The mechanical properties of tensile strength and elongation at break improves concurrently and significantly with tensile strength increasing well over 300%. The polymer/nanoparticle composite can be produced cost effectively as a high quality coating system or in nanoparticle concentrate forms.

Method of producing a high strength (with improved tensile strength and elongation at break properties), high quality, cost effective, nanoparticle enhanced polyurea, polyurethane, and epoxy composites with chemical bonding into polymer backbone. The mechanical properties of tensile strength and elongation at break improves concurrently and significantly with tensile strength increasing well over 300%. The polymer/nanoparticle composite can be produced cost effectively as a high quality coating system or in nanoparticle concentrate forms.

A novel pigment and a method to create the novel pigment are described. A raw material, such as municipal sewage sludge, municipal compost, food waste, agricultural waste, forestry waste, agroforestry waste, biomass, and/or livestock waste, are screened, cleaned, and/or prepared. The raw material is digested by microorganisms to create methane and a biosolid. The biosolid is dried and then carbonized to create a biochar. The biochar is ground into a powder pigment until a predetermined particle size is reached. The powder pigment having the predetermined particle size is applied to a media to create at least one product, such as an ink, a paint, a stain, a colored material, and/or a dye.

Provided are a nanocomposite body, a method of manufacturing the nanocomposite body, and a nanocomposite film including the nanocomposite body. The nanocomposite body includes: inorganic particles; a polymer matrix; and grafting polymer chains each of which includes a polyol structure, wherein the inorganic particles and the polymer matrix are linked by the grafting polymer chains.