Producing high strenght and durable nanocomposites using soluble graphene

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H02021
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 18010:Mechanics of materials and materials-related
• Research Institution: Waseda University (2020-2021); Tokyo Institute of Technology (2019)
• Principal Investigator: Arao Yoshihiko 早稲田大学, 理工学術院, 准教授 (40449335)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 久保内 昌敏 東京工業大学, 物質理工学院, 教授 (00186446) ; 川田 宏之 早稲田大学, 理工学術院, 教授 (20177702) ; 細井 厚志 早稲田大学, 理工学術院, 教授 (60424800)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: グラフェン / 量産化 / メカノケミカル法 / 複合材料

Outline of Final Research Achievements

With the aim of improving the mechanical properties of composite materials by nano reinforcement, we have constructed a process for mass production of graphene, which is one of the nanomaterials. Graphene is obtained by exfoliating graphite to form a thin layer. The liquid-phase-exfoliation method, which exfoliates graphite in a liquid to extract graphene, is the cheapest way to mass-produce graphene. In this study, we found that as a pretreatment method for the liquid phase exfoliation method, graphite is exfoliated and dispersed so that it dissolves in the liquid by mechanochemical reaction of salts and graphite via a ball mill. This made it possible to disperse graphene in a low boiling point solvent, and it was confirmed that the use of soluble graphene further improved the mechanical properties of the fiber reinforced plastic.

Free Research Field

機械材料

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

グラフェンは溶媒へ分散性が悪く、プラスチック材料へのナノ分散は極めて難しい。本研究では、グラファイトを粉砕する際に生じるラジカルに弱酸からなる塩を吸着させることで、極性溶媒にエッジ改質黒鉛を浸漬させた場合に溶けるように剥離分散することを見出した。用いる塩はクエン酸カリウムや酢酸カリウム等、汎用の塩でよく、プロセスはボールミルでよいため、低コストで改質グラフェンを量産化できる。可溶性グラファイトを利用した機能性コーティングなどの応用が期待できる。