Nano graphene-modified curing agents for thermoset resins

1. An epoxy curing agent comprising: (a) a plurality of nano graphene platelets that are pristine graphene; (b) a chemical functional group having multiple ends with a first end being bonded to a nano graphene platelet and at least a second end reactive with an epoxy resin; and (c) reactive molecules acting as a primary cross-linking agent for the epoxy resin; wherein said nano graphene platelets are dispersed in said reactive molecules and the proportion of said platelets is no less than 0.01% by weight based on the total weight of said curing agent.

2. The curing agent of claim 1 wherein said nano graphene platelets comprise single-layer graphene.

3. The curing agent of claim 1 wherein said chemical functional group is derived from a reactive molecule selected from the group consisting of amidoamines, polyamides, aliphatic amines, modified aliphatic amines, cycloaliphatic amines, aromatic amines, anhydrides, ketimines, diethylenetriamine, triethylene-tetramine, tetraethylene-pentamine, polyethylene polyamine, polyamine epoxy adduct, phenolic hardener, non-brominated curing agent, non-amine curatives, and combinations thereof.

4. The curing agent of claim 1 wherein said pristine graphene is produced by direct ultrasonication of a pristine graphitic material that is not pre-intercalated and not pre-oxidized.

5. The curing agent of claim 4 wherein said pristine graphitic material is selected from the group consisting of natural graphite, synthetic graphite, highly oriented pyrolytic graphite, carbon or graphite fiber, carbon or graphitic nano-fiber, meso-carbon micro-bead, and combinations thereof.

6. The curing agent of claim 1 wherein said chemical functional group comprises an epoxy group.

7. The curing agent of claim 1 wherein said chemical functional group is derived from one of said reactive molecules.

8. The curing agent of claim 1 wherein said chemical functional group is bonded to a nano graphene platelet through ultrasonication.

9. The curing agent of claim 1 wherein said chemical functional group is bonded to a nano graphene platelet through ultrasonication of a suspension containing nano graphene platelets dispersed in reactive molecules selected from the group consisting of amidoamines, polyamides, aliphatic amines, modified aliphatic amines, cycloaliphatic amines, aromatic amines, anhydrides, ketimines, diethylenetriamine, triethylene-tetramine, tetraethylene-pentamine, polyethylene polyamine, polyamine epoxy adduct, phenolic hardener, non-brominated curing agent, non-amine curatives, and combinations thereof.

10. A modified curing agent comprising: (a) a plurality of chemically functionalized pristine graphene having at least a chemical functional group reactive with a thermosetting resin; and (b) reactive molecules acting as a primary cross-linking agent for the thermosetting resin; wherein said functionalized nano graphene platelets are dispersed in said reactive molecules and said platelets occupy no less than 0.01% by weight based on the total weight of said modified curing agent.

11. The modified curing agent of claim 10 wherein said nano graphene platelets comprise single-layer graphene.

12. The modified curing agent of claim 10 wherein said nano graphene platelets comprise pristine graphene.

13. The modified curing agent of claim 10 wherein said chemical functional group is derived from a reactive molecule selected from the group consisting of amidoamines, polyamides, aliphatic amines, modified aliphatic amines, cycloaliphatic amines, aromatic amines, anhydrides, ketimines, diethylenetriamine, triethylene-tetramine, tetraethylene-pentamine, polyethylene polyamine, polyamine epoxy adduct, phenolic hardener, non-brominated curing agent, non-amine curatives, polyols, polyisocyanates, and combinations thereof.

14. The modified curing agent of claim 10 wherein said reactive molecules are selected from the group consisting of amidoamines, polyamides, aliphatic amines, modified aliphatic amines, cycloaliphatic amines, aromatic amines, anhydrides, ketimines, diethylenetriamine, triethylene-tetramine, tetraethylene-pentamine, polyethylene polyamine, polyamine epoxy adduct, phenolic hardener, non-brominated curing agent, non-amine curatives, polyols, polyisocyanates, and combinations thereof.

15. An epoxy resin mixed with the curing agent of claim 1 .

16. A thermoset resin mixed with the curing agent of claim 10 .

17. An epoxy resin matrix composite comprising a resin reacted with the curing agent of claim 1 .

18. A thermoset resin matrix composite comprising a resin reacted with the curing agent of claim 10 .

19. An epoxy resin mixed with the curing agent of claim 1 , further comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of carbon fibers, glass fibers, polymer fibers, inorganic fillers, organic fillers, metal wires or fibers, carbon nano-fibers, carbon nanotubes, nano-rods, nano-wires, nano-tubes, nano-fibers, metal nano particles, ceramic nano particles, and combinations thereof.

20. A thermoset resin mixed with the curing agent of claim 10 , further comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of carbon fibers, glass fibers, polymer fibers, inorganic fillers, organic fillers, metal wires or fibers, carbon nano-fibers, carbon nanotubes, nano-rods, nano-wires, nano-tubes, nano-fibers, metal nano particles, ceramic nano particles, and combinations thereof.

21. The modified curing agent of claim 10 , wherein the thermosetting resin comprises a resin selected from the group consisting of unsaturated polyester, phenolic, polyimide, polyurethane, polyamide-imide, thermosetting elastomers or rubbers, and combinations thereof.