This is generally a method of producing graphene-containing suspensions of flakes of high quality graphene/graphite oxides and method of producing graphene/graphite oxides. Both the exfoliating graphite into flakes and oxidizing the graphite flakes and the preparation and suspension of the flakes can be done with high volume production and at a low cost.

This is generally a method of producing graphene-containing suspensions of flakes of high quality graphene/graphite oxides and method of producing graphene/graphite oxides. Both the exfoliating graphite into flakes and oxidizing the graphite flakes and the preparation and suspension of the flakes can be done with high volume production and at a low cost.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for preparing a silicon-carbon-graphene composite, comprising the steps of: (step 1) adding a carbon precursor solution to silicon and performing wet grinding so as to prepare a suspension: (step 2) forming a silicon-carbon composite by spray drying the suspension; and (step 3) spray drying and heat treating a solution comprising the silicon-carbon composite and graphene oxide.

The present invention relates to a device comprising physical properties controlled by a microstructure and a method of manufacturing the same. The present invention discloses a base layer having a patterned surface; and a two-dimensional structure layer formed on the patterned surface of the base layer, the two-dimensional structure layer extending on and in compliance to topography of the patterned surface of the base layer, such that change of physical properties of the two-dimensional structure layer conforms to the stress generated along the topography.

The present invention relates to a device comprising physical properties controlled by a microstructure and a method of manufacturing the same. The present invention discloses a base layer having a patterned surface; and a two-dimensional structure layer formed on the patterned surface of the base layer, the two-dimensional structure layer extending on and in compliance to topography of the patterned surface of the base layer, such that change of physical properties of the two-dimensional structure layer conforms to the stress generated along the topography.

The present application relates to methods for depositing two-dimensional materials (e.g., MoS.sub.2, WS.sub.2, MoTe.sub.2, MoSe.sub.2, WSe.sub.2, BN, BN—C composite, and the like) onto lithium electrodes. Battery systems incorporating lithium metal electrodes coated with two-dimensional materials are also described. Methods may include intercalating the two-dimensional materials to facilitate flow of Lithium ions in and out of the lithium electrode. Two-dimensional material coated lithium electrodes provide for high cycling stability and significant performance improvements. Systems and methods further provide electrodes having carbon structures (e.g., carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, porous carbon, free-standing 3D CNTs, etc.) with sulfur coatings.

The present application relates to methods for depositing two-dimensional materials (e.g., MoS.sub.2, WS.sub.2, MoTe.sub.2, MoSe.sub.2, WSe.sub.2, BN, BN—C composite, and the like) onto lithium electrodes. Battery systems incorporating lithium metal electrodes coated with two-dimensional materials are also described. Methods may include intercalating the two-dimensional materials to facilitate flow of Lithium ions in and out of the lithium electrode. Two-dimensional material coated lithium electrodes provide for high cycling stability and significant performance improvements. Systems and methods further provide electrodes having carbon structures (e.g., carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, porous carbon, free-standing 3D CNTs, etc.) with sulfur coatings.

A method for preparing phthalocyanine nanospheres is provided, including: synthesizing an ionic phthalocyanine molecule of formula I according to a following chemical scheme: ##STR00001##
wherein M is Cu or Zn, X is Br or Cl, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 are aromatic substituent groups; dissolving at least one ionic phthalocyanine molecule selected from the formula I in a solvent to form a solution; preparing a two-dimensional layer crystalline material with an opposite charge to the ionic phthalocyanine molecule; adding the two-dimensional layer crystalline material to the solution; heating the solution to evaporate a portion of the solvent to aggregate the ionic phthalocyanine molecule into phthalocyanine nanospheres between a film layer of the two-dimensional layer crystalline material; and separating the phthalocyanine nanospheres from the film layer of the two-dimensional layer crystalline material.

A method for preparing phthalocyanine nanospheres is provided, including: synthesizing an ionic phthalocyanine molecule of formula I according to a following chemical scheme: ##STR00001##
wherein M is Cu or Zn, X is Br or Cl, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 are aromatic substituent groups; dissolving at least one ionic phthalocyanine molecule selected from the formula I in a solvent to form a solution; preparing a two-dimensional layer crystalline material with an opposite charge to the ionic phthalocyanine molecule; adding the two-dimensional layer crystalline material to the solution; heating the solution to evaporate a portion of the solvent to aggregate the ionic phthalocyanine molecule into phthalocyanine nanospheres between a film layer of the two-dimensional layer crystalline material; and separating the phthalocyanine nanospheres from the film layer of the two-dimensional layer crystalline material.

The present development is a novel graphene foam with highly enriched incommensurately-stacked layers. The graphene foam is intended to be applied as active electrodes in rechargeable batteries. A 93% incommensurate graphene foam demonstrated a reversible specific capacity of 1540 mAh g.sup.−1 with a 75% coulombic efficiency, and an 86% incommensurate sample achieves above 99% coulombic efficiency exhibiting 930 mAh g-1 specific capacity.