10107991Improving Graphene Dispersion MetricsClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKThis project seeks to establish whether measurement of specific surface area using nuclear magnetic resonance proton relaxation, might prove a complementary tool to particle size measurement in the manufacture and development of graphene dispersions. Graphene, since the award of the Nobel prize in 2010 has seen significant scientific exploration; however industrial uptake and application has been hindered by the problems associated with dispersion of graphene nanoplatelets into matrices for application. Graphene nanoplatelets typically form agglomerates which require reduction through milling in the matrix to achieve dispersion. The process of milling has a complex output in that it reduces agglomerates and reduce size while creating new surface area. Surface area of the nanoplatelet is key to the wetting process and has a key influence on parameters such as viscosity and long term stability. The measurement of surface area by BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) is not possible in a dispersion matrix. Current methods of particle size analysis such as DLS (dynamic light scattering) act as a poor proxy for surface area and have themselves issues related to their dependence on a spherical geometry not compensated for by the algorithms used. The identification of a measurement technique for specific surface area of nanoplatelets and other graphene related materials in a matrix as a complementary tool will help further enhance understanding of the dispersion process while enhancing the development of new dispersions.