▎ 摘　　要

NOVELTY - Producing separated nano-scaled graphene platelets having an average thickness of not greater than 50 nm comprises intercalating a supply of meso-carbon microbeads (MCMBs) to produce intercalated MCMBs; and exfoliating the intercalated MCMBs at a temperature and a pressure for a period of time to produce the nano-scaled graphene platelets. USE - Method of producing separated nano-scaled graphene platelets having a thickness of less than 1 nm and length of less than 100 nm and comprising single graphene sheets, double-layer graphene sheets or triple-layer graphene sheets (claimed) for use as a precursor to a nanocomposite structure. ADVANTAGE - The method readily produces ultra-thin graphene platelets with an average thickness smaller than 2 nm or thinner than 6 graphene layers. It is simple, fast and less energy-intensive. The method obviates the need to use a long intercalation time, a high exfoliation temperature or a subsequent mechanical shearing treatment. It does not need to utilize an undesirable intercalant, e.g. sulfuric acid. Many environmentally benign intercalants are able to effectively intercalate MCMBs. The method enables the production of nano graphene platelets with ultra-small length/width values, e.g. those with a length smaller than 100 nm or even 10 nm. The effective and consistent method is amenable to low-cost, mass production of ultra-thin nano-scaled platelets.