William Marsh Rice University

Zheng Yan

James Mitchell Tour

Zhiwei Peng

Robert H Hauge

Gedeng Ruan

Yilun Li

Jian Lin

Zhengzong Sun

Yu Zhu

Lei Li

In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of forming a reinforcing material by: (1) depositing a first material onto a catalyst surface; and (2) forming a second material on the catalyst surface, where the second material is derived from and associated with the first material. In some embodiments, the first material includes, without limitation, carbon nanotubes, graphene nanoribbons, boron nitride nanotubes, chalcogenide nanotubes, carbon onions, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the formed second material includes, without limitation, graphene, hexagonal boron nitride, chalcogenides, and combinations thereof. In additional embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of separating the formed reinforcing material from the catalyst surface, and transferring the separated reinforcing material onto a substrate without the use of polymers. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to reinforcing materials formed by the aforementioned methods.

Rebar hybrid materials and methods of making the same

In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of forming single-crystal graphenes by: (1) cleaning a surface of a catalyst; (2) annealing the surface of the catalyst; (3) applying a carbon source to the surface of the catalyst; and (4) growing single-crystal graphene on the surface of the catalyst from the carbon source. Further embodiments of the present disclosure also include a step of separating the formed single-crystal graphene from the surface of the catalyst. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of transferring the formed single-crystal graphene to a substrate. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure also include a step of growing stacks of single crystals of graphene.

Methods for production of single-crystal graphenes

Provided are methods of making graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid materials. Such methods generally include: (1) associating a graphene film with a substrate; (2) applying a catalyst and a carbon source to the graphene film; and (3) growing carbon nanotubes on the graphene film. The grown carbon nanotubes become covalently linked to the graphene film through carbon-carbon bonds that are located at one or more junctions between the carbon nanotubes and the graphene film. In addition, the grown carbon nanotubes are in ohmic contact with the graphene film through the carbon-carbon bonds at the one or more junctions. The one or more junctions may include seven-membered carbon rings. Also provided are the formed graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid materials.

Graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid materials and use as electrodes

In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of forming graphene films by: (1) depositing a non-gaseous carbon source onto a catalyst surface; (2) exposing the non-gaseous carbon source to at least one gas with a flow rate; and (3) initiating the conversion of the non-gaseous carbon source to the graphene film, where the thickness of the graphene film is controllable by the gas flow rate. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to graphene films made in accordance with the methods of the present disclosure.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Zheng Yan