Hemp-derived Dicarboxylic acid-functionalized Graphene

Abstract

This invention pertains to the production of the bi-dimensional crystalline structure of carbon known as graphene. The purpose of this invention is to provide an aqueous, organic method for producing the atomic-scale substance. The invention is declared to enable the low-cost scalable production of large quantities of graphene.

Claims

1. A method for synthesizing a graphene sheet using a heterogeneous mixture, comprising of dicarboxylic acids, water, and carbon, to form a substrate; wherein the collected solid matter comprises a plurality of graphene sheets.

2. A method according to embodiment 1, wherein said substrate is produced in a reactor or under ambient conditions to decarboxylate the phytocannabinoids present within hemp to produce dicarboxylic acid {2-C(O)OH}.

3. A method according to embodiment 1, wherein said substrate compromises of a crystalline structure of carbon which is a product of the reaction with the dicarboxylic acid {2-C(O)OH}.

4. A product made according to embodiment 1, where further processes occur to increase or decrease the number of layers of graphene.

4. A product made according to embodiment 1, where further processes occur to increase or decrease the quality of the graphene.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0009] FIG. 1 shows the Raman spectrum of graphene prepared using the method declared. The most notable features are the G peak at 1580 cm.sup.1 and G peak at 2700 cm.sup.1. The higher G peak speaks to the presence of multiple layers of graphene. There is also a noticeable D peak at 1350 cm.sup.1 which hints at the presence of residual substances from the synthesis method.

[0010] FIG. 2 presents an image of a graphene sample produced according to the invention. The image was obtained using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Multiple layers of graphene can be observed at a scale of 10 micrometers.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of a steam crystallizer for producing graphene according to the invention by providing energy for the reaction to take place between graphite & the dicarboxylic acid to form a functionalized graphene lattice. As the water is heated, it will evaporate, leaving the graphene paste to be further dried or used as-is.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention provides a method for a low-cost aqueous solution-based synthesis of graphene sheets. This method is capable of spontaneous graphene production in ambient conditions. The technique generally involves creating a structure of carbon with dicarboxylic acid {2-C(O)OH}, and water. Cannabinoids occur in the hemp plant Cannabis sativa in the form of their carboxyl derivatives, the phytocannabinoids. The reaction that produces cannabinoid dicarboxylic acids as a rule proceeds slowly at room temperature but current manufacturing methods may isolate dicarboxylic acid after detaching from cannabinoids with relative ease. Firstly, to begin the structure formation process, the 2-C(O)OH and carbon must be combined in water. Carbon can be added in several forms to create a relatively pure graphene structure; this technique may be further refined. At this point the carbon will begin to spontaneously form into its' two-dimensional crystalline structure. The graphene may then be extracted from the water. Heating the water will evaporate the water and lock the graphene down into multiple layers of a single graphite structure.