The present invention relates a compact compound and their preparation and more particularly to such compact compound prepared from hydroxyl graphene functionalized and combinations with thermosetting polymer with particular particles of specified size, shape and properties. The present invention relates generally to field of nanomaterials and preparation of nanomaterials as well as use of nanomaterials in architecture, engineering and interior design.

The present invention relates a compact compound and their preparation and more particularly to such compact compound prepared from hydroxyl graphene functionalized and combinations with thermosetting polymer with particular particles of specified size, shape and properties. The present invention relates generally to field of nanomaterials and preparation of nanomaterials as well as use of nanomaterials in architecture, engineering and interior design.

Graphenic carbon nanoparticles that are dispersed in solvents through the use of dispersant resins are disclosed. The graphenic carbon nanoparticles may be milled prior to dispersion. The dispersant resins may comprise a polymeric dispersant resin comprising an addition polymer comprising the residue of a vinyl heterocyclic amide, an addition polymer comprising a homopolymer, a block (co)polymer, a random (co)polymer, an alternating (co)polymer, a graft (co)polymer, a brush (co)polymer, a star (co)polymer, a telechelic (co)polymer, or a combination thereof. The solvents may be aqueous, non-aqueous, inorganic and/or organic solvents. The dispersions are highly stable and may contain relatively high loadings of the graphenic carbon nanoparticles.

Graphenic carbon nanoparticles that are dispersed in solvents through the use of dispersant resins are disclosed. The graphenic carbon nanoparticles may be milled prior to dispersion. The dispersant resins may comprise a polymeric dispersant resin comprising an addition polymer comprising the residue of a vinyl heterocyclic amide, an addition polymer comprising a homopolymer, a block (co)polymer, a random (co)polymer, an alternating (co)polymer, a graft (co)polymer, a brush (co)polymer, a star (co)polymer, a telechelic (co)polymer, or a combination thereof. The solvents may be aqueous, non-aqueous, inorganic and/or organic solvents. The dispersions are highly stable and may contain relatively high loadings of the graphenic carbon nanoparticles.

In one embodiment, a composition of matter includes a crystalline porous structure having a density in a range from about 30 to about 50 mg/cm.sup.3. In another embodiment, a kit includes an amorphous, porous material, an inert pressure medium, a heating source, and a sample chamber configured to withstand an applied pressure of at least about 20 GPa. Other aspects and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.

In one embodiment, a composition of matter includes a crystalline porous structure having a density in a range from about 30 to about 50 mg/cm.sup.3. In another embodiment, a kit includes an amorphous, porous material, an inert pressure medium, a heating source, and a sample chamber configured to withstand an applied pressure of at least about 20 GPa. Other aspects and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.

The product of and a process for forming a metal composite comprising particles of a carbon allotrope dispersed in a metal or a mixture of metals. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of: (a) contacting particles of a carbon allotrope with surfactant having an organic portion and an anionic portion wherein the anionic portion is bonded to the organic portion and wherein the anionic portion is ionically associated with a cation so that the organic portion of the surfactant is adsorbed onto the surface of the particles of the carbon allotrope to produce surfactant modified particles; (b) contacting the surfactant modified particles with a transition metal cation and/or a post-transition metal cation and/or mixtures thereof to replace some or all of the cations of the surfactant modified particles with a transition metal cation and/or a post-transition metal cation and/or mixtures thereof to produce metal ion modified particles; (c) mixing the metal ion modified particles with a metal or a mixture of metals to form a mixture thereof; and (d) processing the mixture to form a metal composite comprising particles of the carbon allotrope dispersed in the metal or mixture of metal. In another embodiment the process includes the steps of: (a) contacting particles of a carbon allotrope with a surfactant having an organic portion and an anionic portion wherein the anionic portion is bonded to the organic portion and wherein the anionic portion is ionically associated with a transition metal cation and/or a post-transition metal cation and/or mixtures to produce metal ion modified particles; (b) mixing the metal ion modified particles with a metal or a mixture of metals to form a mixture thereof; and (c) processing the mixture to form a metal composite comprising particles of the carbon allotrope dispersed in the metal or mixture of metals.

The product of and a process for forming a metal composite comprising particles of a carbon allotrope dispersed in a metal or a mixture of metals. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of: (a) contacting particles of a carbon allotrope with surfactant having an organic portion and an anionic portion wherein the anionic portion is bonded to the organic portion and wherein the anionic portion is ionically associated with a cation so that the organic portion of the surfactant is adsorbed onto the surface of the particles of the carbon allotrope to produce surfactant modified particles; (b) contacting the surfactant modified particles with a transition metal cation and/or a post-transition metal cation and/or mixtures thereof to replace some or all of the cations of the surfactant modified particles with a transition metal cation and/or a post-transition metal cation and/or mixtures thereof to produce metal ion modified particles; (c) mixing the metal ion modified particles with a metal or a mixture of metals to form a mixture thereof; and (d) processing the mixture to form a metal composite comprising particles of the carbon allotrope dispersed in the metal or mixture of metal. In another embodiment the process includes the steps of: (a) contacting particles of a carbon allotrope with a surfactant having an organic portion and an anionic portion wherein the anionic portion is bonded to the organic portion and wherein the anionic portion is ionically associated with a transition metal cation and/or a post-transition metal cation and/or mixtures to produce metal ion modified particles; (b) mixing the metal ion modified particles with a metal or a mixture of metals to form a mixture thereof; and (c) processing the mixture to form a metal composite comprising particles of the carbon allotrope dispersed in the metal or mixture of metals.

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 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.