Exfoliation of layered materials by wet-jet milling techniques

摘要

A system for the exfoliation of a layered material is described, comprising in combination: an exfoliation station (14-22) operating on a volume of a dispersion of a layered precursor material, including a wet-jet milling device (10); and a collecting station (30, 40), located downstream of the exfoliation station (14-22), operating on a volume of a dispersion of the at least partly exfoliated material, in which the exfoliation station (14-22) and the collecting station (30,40) are connected to each other through a fluid communication path (20) along which there are interposed flow regulating means (50) adapted to assume a first operating configuration in which the communication path (20) between the exfoliation station (14-22) and the collecting station (30, 40) is discontinued, where the exfoliation station (14-22) is adapted to subject a volume of dispersion of layered precursor material to a predetermined number of wet jet milling cycles; and a second operating configuration in which the communication path (20) between the exfoliation station (14-22) and the collecting station (30, 40) is continuous, where the exfoliation station (14-22) is adapted to convey a volume of previously milled dispersion including at least partly exfoliated material to the collecting station (30, 40) and is placed in communication with a supply chamber (12) to be fed with a further volume of a dispersion of layered precursor material that has to be exfoliated.