Zheng Yan

US Patent:

20140014030, Jan 16, 2014

Filed:

Jul 10, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/939086

Inventors:

James M. Tour - Bellaire TX, US
Zheng Yan - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

William Marsh Rice University - Houston TX

International Classification:

C30B 25/18

US Classification:

117 97

Abstract:

In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of forming single-crystal graphenes by: (1) cleaning a surface of a catalyst; (2) annealing the surface of the catalyst; (3) applying a carbon source to the surface of the catalyst; and (4) growing single-crystal graphene on the surface of the catalyst from the carbon source. Further embodiments of the present disclosure also include a step of separating the formed single-crystal graphene from the surface of the catalyst. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of transferring the formed single-crystal graphene to a substrate. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure also include a step of growing stacks of single crystals of graphene.

US Patent:

20160031711, Feb 4, 2016

Filed:

Jun 30, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/754983

Inventors:

James M. Tour - Bellaire TX, US
Zheng Yan - Houston TX, US
Zhiwei Peng - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

William Marsh Rice University - Houston TX

International Classification:

C01B 31/04

Abstract:

In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of forming graphene films by: (1) depositing a non-gaseous carbon source onto a catalyst surface; (2) exposing the non-gaseous carbon source to at least one gas with a flow rate; and (3) initiating the conversion of the non-gaseous carbon source to the graphene film, where the thickness of the graphene film is controllable by the gas flow rate. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to graphene films made in accordance with the methods of the present disclosure.

US Patent:

20150023858, Jan 22, 2015

Filed:

Jul 18, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/335566

Inventors:

James M. Tour - Bellaire TX, US
Zheng Yan - Houston TX, US
Zhiwei Peng - Houston TX, US
Robert H. Hauge - Houston TX, US
Yilun Li - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

William Marsh Rice University - Houston TX

International Classification:

C01B 31/36
B29C 39/00
H01B 1/04
C01B 31/04
C01B 31/02

US Classification:

423276, 423448, 423290, 423659, 156231, 264105, 264 39, 264 85

Abstract:

In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of forming a reinforcing material by: (1) depositing a first material onto a catalyst surface; and (2) forming a second material on the catalyst surface, where the second material is derived from and associated with the first material. In some embodiments, the first material includes, without limitation, carbon nanotubes, graphene nanoribbons, boron nitride nanotubes, chalcogenide nanotubes, carbon onions, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the formed second material includes, without limitation, graphene, hexagonal boron nitride, chalcogenides, and combinations thereof. In additional embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of separating the formed reinforcing material from the catalyst surface, and transferring the separated reinforcing material onto a substrate without the use of polymers. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to reinforcing materials formed by the aforementioned methods.

US Patent:

20140313636, Oct 23, 2014

Filed:

Nov 19, 2012

Appl. No.:

14/358864

Inventors:

James M. Tour - Bellaire TX, US
Yu Zhu - Houston TX, US
Lei Li - Houston TX, US
Zheng Yan - Houston TX, US
Jian Lin - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

William Marsh Rice University - Houston TX

International Classification:

H01G 11/36
C01B 31/04

US Classification:

361502, 4234472, 427122, 427596, 428206, 428408, 428219

Abstract:

In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of making graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid materials. In some embodiments, such methods generally include: (1) associating a graphene film with a substrate; (2) applying a catalyst and a carbon source to the graphene film; and (3) growing carbon nanotubes on the graphene film. In some embodiments, the grown carbon nanotubes become covalently linked to the graphene film through carbon-carbon bonds that are located at one or more junctions between the carbon nanotubes and the graphene film. In some embodiments, the grown carbon nanotubes are in ohmic contact with the graphene film through the carbon-carbon bonds at the one or more junctions. In some embodiments, the one or more junctions may include seven-membered carbon rings. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid materials that are formed in accordance with the methods of the present invention.

US Patent:

20140234200, Aug 21, 2014

Filed:

Jul 30, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/561889

Inventors:

James Tour - Bellaire TX, US
Zheng Yan - Houston TX, US
Zhiwei Peng - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

William Marsh Rice University - Houston TX

International Classification:

C01B 31/04
C01B 31/00

US Classification:

423448

Abstract:

In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of forming graphene films by: (1) depositing a non-gaseous carbon source onto a catalyst surface; (2) exposing the non-gaseous carbon source to at least one gas with a flow rate; and (3) initiating the conversion of the non-gaseous carbon source to the graphene film, where the thickness of the graphene film is controllable by the gas flow rate. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to graphene films made in accordance with the methods of the present disclosure.

US Patent:

20140120270, May 1, 2014

Filed:

Sep 9, 2011

Appl. No.:

14/113856

Inventors:

James M. Tour - Bellaire TX, US
Zheng Yan - Houston TX, US
Zhiwei Peng - Houston TX, US
Zhengzong Sun - Shanghai, CN

International Classification:

C01B 31/04

US Classification:

427596, 427122

Abstract:

The present invention provides methods of forming graphene films on various non-catalyst surfaces by applying a carbon source and a catalyst to the surface and initiating graphene film formation. In some embodiments, graphene film formation may be initiated by induction heating. In some embodiments, the carbon source is applied to the non-catalyst surface before the catalyst is applied to the surface. In other embodiments, the catalyst is applied to the non-catalyst surface before the carbon source is applied to the surface. In further embodiments, the catalyst and the carbon source are applied to the non-catalyst surface at the same time. Further embodiments of the present invention may also include a step of separating the catalyst from the formed graphene film, such as by acid etching.