METHOD OF TREATING GRAPHITE FOR MAKING HYDROPHILIC ARTICLES

Abstract

An exemplary method of making a hydrophilic article includes controlling a rate of precipitation of titania from a titanate to allow coating at least a selected portion of the article with the titanate before the precipitation is complete.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example water transport plate assembly including a hydrophilic structure designed according to an embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2A schematically shows a feature of a crystal structure of an example graphite particle.

FIG. 2B schematically shows another view of the crystal structure of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an example manufacturing process.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a portion of an example article made from the example process of FIG. 3.

Claims

1. A method of making a hydrophilic article, comprising controlling a rate of precipitation of titania from a titanate to allow coating at least a selected portion of the article with the titanate before the precipitation is complete.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising mixing the titanate with a solvent to control the rate of precipitation.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising using the solvent to slow the rate of precipitation.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising depositing TiO2 onto at least the portion of the article.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the article comprises graphite and the method includes depositing the TiO2 onto at least a basal surface of the graphite to thereby increase a surface energy of the basal surface.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising combining the titanate and a solvent to establish a solution;placing the article into the solution; andimpregnating the article with at least some of the solution.

7. The method of claim 6, comprising subjecting the article in the solution to vacuum impregnation.

8. The method of claim 6, comprising subsequently drying the article;subsequently placing the dried article into a second solution comprising water and a solvent; andsubsequently heating the article.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the second solution comprises deionized water and denatured ethanol.

10. The method of claim 8, comprising heating the article at a temperature of approximately 115° C.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the titanate comprises titanium dioxide and the solvent comprises denatured ethanol.