Exfoliated Graphite Nano-Platelets
Exfoliated Graphite Nano-Platelets (xGnP) is a new type of nanoparticle made from graphite. These nanoparticles consist of small stacks of graphene that are 1 to 15 nanometers thick, with diameters ranging from sub-micron to 100 microns. Since xGnP is composed of the same material as carbon nanotubes, it shares many of their electrochemical characteristics, although not their tensile strength. The platelet shape, however, offers xGnP edges that are easier to modify chemically for enhanced dispersion in polymers.
Composite materials made with polymers, like plastics, nylon, or rubber, can be made electrically or thermally conductive with the addition of small amounts of xGnP. These nanoparticles can change the fundamental properties of plastics, enabling them to perform more like metals with metallic properties. These new nanoparticles also improve barrier properties, modulus, and surface toughness when used in composites.
Contact: XG Sciences Inc., East Lansing, MI, USA.
For more information, see Transmaterial 2: A Catalog of Materials That Redefine our Physical Environment
