Key Discoveries and IPs

Our graphene team has uncovered numerous novel properties of graphene-based materials, including their hybrids and composites. These discoveries have led to a range of applications, some of which have already been translated into new products and technologies through collaborative efforts or are currently in development. Nine patent protected inventions on graphene are related to adsorbents, fire retardant, protective coating, micronutrient delivery,  hybrid supercapacitors, radiation shielding, sound absorption, drag reduction and  surface modification of metal and semiconductive surfaces.

Insecticidal Properties of Graphene          

  • Our latest discovery reveals that graphene can cause mortality in grain insects when it adheres to their skin. This effect is due to a physical mode of action, where graphene disrupts the protective outer layer of the insects and impairs their gas respiration, ultimately leading to their demise. This discovery could pave the way for the development of new generation of chemical-free pest control solutions. (Chemosphere 2024))

Graphene Hybrid Materials         

  • To harness the novel properties and functionalities of graphene-related materials, our team has developed innovative hybridization approach by  combining their 2D structures  with various nanomaterials with 0D,1D, and 2D morphologies and specific properties, such as carbon quantum dots (CQDs), doped CQD,  graphene quantum dots (GQDs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), MoS₂, hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), and metal (Au, Pt) and semiconductive nanoparticles. These combinations create unique hybrid materials with tailored interfacial, photonic, quantum, optical, catalytic, sensing, electrical, and thermal properties which are needed for many applications.

Radiation Shielding by Layered 2D Materials

  • Novel concept and new properties of layered 2D materials and their laminar heterostructures were discovered for radiation shielding. This phenomenon is revealed by characterization the X-ray shielding performances of several 2D materials with high atomic numbers (Z) including MoS2, antimonene (Sb), and MXene and their combination in the form of multi-layered laminar films by assembly of their 2D sheets.  Considerable X-ray shielding enhancement of (40-50 %) were observed compared the bulk structures of these materials. This discovery suggest that multi-layered 2D materials with high atomic numbers (Z) and their laminar heterostructures can offer a new and promising strategy for designing of a new generation of Pb-free radiation-shielding materials that is urgently needed across broad sectors. Graphene and 2D materials, 2023, 8, 151-9 https://doi.org/10.1007/s41127-023-00064-4,  Appl. Mater. Today 2022, 29 101566

Graphene for Micronutrients Delivery and Fertilizers Coating             

  • Our team pioneered a novel application of graphene in agriculture, developing innovative concepts for using graphene as a carrier for micronutrient delivery and as a coating for commercial fertilizers. This approach enables controlled nutrient release and enhances the mechanical strength of the fertilizers. The technology, patented under US 11,040,918B2, has been licensed to the largest fertilizer company in the USA making a significant impact by improving fertilizer performance and reducing environmental issues such as dusting. (ACS Appl. Mater. & Interf. 2017, 9, 43325; ACS Sust. Chem. &Eng., 2018, 6, 1299)

Graphene Enhanced Fire-Retardant Protection

  • A novel concept for fire protection coating has been discovered, leveraging the gas barrier properties of graphene to prevent oxygen from reaching flammable material. This approach represents a significant shift from conventional fire retardant (FR) methods based on fuel and temperature management (Carbon 2017,117, 252, ACS Appl. Materi. & Interf 2017, 9, 10160). It was shown that graphene offers six distinct modes of fire protection, surpassing the performance of traditional FR materials. The concept is protected by two patents (US 11,174,433, US20210355385A1, WO2018/045436) and licensed to an industry partner. We have formulated and successfully tested several new intumescent and non-intumescent paints, which are currently in the commercialization phase with our industry partner.

Graphene Enhanced Sound Shielding

  • Our team discovered that lamella-structure created by graphene oxide (GO) sheets in porous melamine foam is outstanding  acoustic absorber. This new acoustic adsorbing material can provide  ≈ 60.3% shielding enhancement over a broad absorption band between 128 and 4000 Hz compared to the melamine foam. This phenomenon is explained by  the air-flow resistance developed by the GO-based lamella structures and improved stiffness. In addition to the enhanced acoustic absorption and mechanical robustness, the lamella provides superior structural functionality over many conventional sound absorbers including, moisture/mist insulation and fire retardancy. This invention is patented (US2020071480) and licensed to industry partner.  (Adv. Funct. Mater. 2017, 27(46), 1703820, 10.1002/adfm.201703820

Advanced Electrode Materials for Hybrid Supercapacitors     

  • Our team invented a lithium-ion hybrid supercapacitor comprising (i) an electrode comprising nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs), and (ii) an electrode comprising an electrically conductive graphene material. The hybrid  supercapacitors of the invention advantageously combines the functionality of a battery-type electrode and a supercapacitor-type electrode, in that it can provide high energy density associated with battery-type electrodes as well as high power density and long cycle life associated with capacitive electrodes. This is invention is patented (WO2020198784, US20220246363,  EP3948909A1 and licensed to industry partner

Graphene for Multifunctional Protective Coatings

  • The team invented novel method to engineer robust graphene protective  coating  with multiple functionalities based on specially designed graphene composite by growing sodium metaborate (NaBO2$xH2O) crystals into graphene oxide (GO) layer during their reduction, which works synergistically as a surface binder. a flame-retardant additive, and an antibacterial agent. The produced coatings revealed an outstanding mechanical robustness (ASTM-class 4B), antibacterial properties showing the reduction of bacterial colonization up to ~99.92% and fire protection. The invention is patented and licensed (US20210355385A1, WO2018/045436)

Graphene Coating Enhanced Drag Reduction

  • Our team demonstrated that hydrophobic graphene coating on model boats can considerably impact on the drag reduction compared with commercial paints.  This experimental study indicate the ability of graphene coating to control drag and potentially provide energy saving   for marine boats. The study is not completed due lack of funding

Complementary Methods for Graphene Characterization and Quality Control

  • To address limitation of very expensive characterization methods (TEM, SEM, XPS, AFM, Raman) for graphene materials characterizations based on spot analysis of individual particles our team developed series of complementary analytical methods for analysis their bulk forms.  These methods are based on light microscopy (no of layers, particle size), Uv-vis spectroscopy (oxidation level and specific surface area) IR- spectroscopy  (qualitative and quantitative analysis of functional groups), acid titration quantitative analysis of functional groups and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)  for analysis % of  impurities, carbon, oxygen and other functional groups. TGA method is validated through Vamas ILC programme and accepted as ISO standard. 27(46),1703820,10.1002/adfm.201703820