US Patent 9725979 Swellable article

A swellable article, including a matrix material and an exfoliatable graphene-based material disposed in the matrix material. The exfoliatable graphene-based material is operatively arranged to facilitate swelling of the swellable article upon exposure to a selected fluid by sorbing particles in the fluid. The swelling enables the swellable article to engage an adjacent structure. Methods of making and using a swellable article are also included.