Graphene Flakes from the Mineral Graphite and Its Use in the Composites

The main application sectors of graphene composites are: aerospace and automotive industry, coatings, electronics, energy, medicine, lighting, sensors and 3D printing. The aforementioned applications indicate a huge market potential and demand for products in the form of pure graphene flakes and composites with them. A technology for the production of graphene flakes from mineral graphite was developed. The proposed technology allow to develop a less expensive way of obtaining graphene, which can be used as a filler in composites applicable in many industry fields. The obtained material is characterized by high stability, mono or multilayer structure and allow for a significant acceleration of its production process.<br/>Graphene, which was then used to produce composites (paints, varnishes, filaments for 3D printing) was obtained from pure graphite. Experiments with the functionalization of the surface of graphene were carried out, thanks to which it is be possible to introduce it into solutions that were subjected to polymerization processes at later stages. The possibility of using graphene flakes as a filler in varnishes and polymers to improve their mechanical properties was investigated. Mechanical and microbiological tests were performed for all the produced composites and the results are presented.<br/>Acknowledgements:<br/>The project was supported by the National Center for Research and Development, Poland under grant no. LIDER/25/0132/L-10/18/NCBR/2019