Available Technologies

Executive Summary

Conductive polymers are used in a variety of applications including packaging and electronics. MSU researchers have developed an inexpensive method of preparing conductive polymers containing graphene nanoplatelets produced by microwave methods from exfoliated graphite, that have excellent mechanical, barrier, thermal and electrical properties. The materials can be processed by conventional means such as injection molding, extrusion, blow molding and conventional film processes.

Description of the Technology

The invention uses graphene nanoplatelets exfoliated from graphite to form nanoplatelets a few nanometers in thickness and from 15 to 200 microns in length. The nanoplatelets are added to a polymer in a small amount to achieve percolation to produce enhanced thermal and or electrical conductivity along with increased gas and liquid barrier performance coupled with increases in mechanical properties. These effects have been shown to be achievable with both thermoset and thermoplastic polymers.

Benefits

• Increases in barrier performance against gasses such as oxygen, water vapor, carbon dioxide
• Excellent electrical conductivity for electrical dissipation, electrostatic painting, electromagnetic interference
• Enhanced thermal conductivity
• Produced with conventional polymer processing techniques

Applications

• Packaging films
• Bottles and containers for various gases and liquids
• Gaseous and Liquid storage vessels and transfer lines for Transportation systems (aero, rail truck, auto)

Patent Status

Issued US Patent 8,501,858B2

Licensing Rights

Full licensing rights available

References

Materials Science and Engineering B: Solid-State Materials for Advanced Technology, 2017

Nanotechnology Paper, 2018 

Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials Article, 2021

Inventors

Dr. Lawrence Drzal, Dr. Hiroyuki Fukushima

TECH ID

TEC2006-0070