Currently, several analysis techniques can be used to measure critical material properties of 2D materials, with several of these methods now standardized. However, these techniques can often be lengthy, expensive, measure only a limited sample population, require specialist knowledge to operate, and require dry samples, which makes them unsuitable for use in a manufacturing facility.
NPL validated this method by comparing graphene properties measured with NMR proton relaxation to several more accurate characterization techniques, as detailed in two publications focused on graphene’s structural properties and chemical properties. During a recent visit at the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) at the University of Manchester, NPL demonstrated the use of this technique to several 2D material manufacturers with a practical demonstration of the potential of this technique for characterizing industrial materials.
Graphene and related 2D materials have the potential to disrupt technologies such as energy storage devices, composites, and electronics through their exceptional material properties. Depending on the material, these can include properties such as high electrical conductivity, high mechanical strength, and high thermal conductivity.
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To address this need, the U.K.’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) developed a new method for characterizing 2D materials in dispersion using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) proton relaxation.This technique measures the relaxation time of protons in solvent molecules, which NPL has demonstrated can be correlated to changes in specific surface area or surface chemistry of 2D materials in dispersion. The advantages of NMR proton relaxation are the relatively low cost, fast analysis time (in the order of seconds), and the fact that materials can be measured directly in a liquid, allowing it to be operated at the production line.
The use of a benchtop NMR relaxation instrument with real-world industrial samples demonstrated the feasibility of this method for the rapid quality control of 2D materials in liquid dispersions. This method is relatively low-cost and offers companies a solution to monitor the degree of exfoliation of their dispersions without needing advanced, expensive characterization tools. This solution could help in tuning the exfoliation parameters employed, and ultimately optimize the material for selected applications. The optimization of 2D materials for advanced applications, such as the reduction of carbon emissions, will ultimately lead to huge savings for companies and the development of more efficient real-world products.
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