Open AccessDefect-Free Single-Layer Graphene by 10 s Microwave Solid Exfoliation and Its Application for Catalytic Water Splitting
Author(s) -
Mustafa K. Bayazit,
Lunqiao Xiong,
Chaoran Jiang,
Savio J. A. Moniz,
Edward M. White,
Milo S. P. Shaffer,
Junwang Tang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
acs applied materials and interfaces
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.535
H-Index - 228
eISSN - 1944-8252
pISSN - 1944-8244
DOI - 10.1021/acsami.1c03906
Subject(s) - graphene , materials science , exfoliation joint , graphite , graphene oxide paper , electrode , catalysis , graphene foam , nanotechnology , microwave , water splitting , layer (electronics) , chemical engineering , graphene nanoribbons , optoelectronics , composite material , photocatalysis , organic chemistry , chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
Mass production of defect-free single-layer graphene flakes (SLGFs) by a cost-effective approach is still very challenging. Here, we report such single-layer graphene flakes (SLGFs) (>90%) prepared by a nondestructive, energy-efficient, and easy up-scalable physical approach. These high-quality graphene flakes are attributed to a novel 10 s microwave-modulated solid-state approach, which not only fast exfoliates graphite in air but also self-heals the surface of graphite to remove the impurities. The fabricated high-quality graphene films (∼200 nm) exhibit a sheet resistance of ∼280 Ω/sq without any chemical or physical post-treatment. Furthermore, graphene-incorporated Ni-Fe electrodes represent a remarkable ∼140 mA/cm 2 current for the catalytic water oxidation reaction compared with the pristine Ni-Fe electrode (∼10 mA/cm 2 ) and a 120 mV cathodic shift in onset potential under identical experimental conditions, together with a faradic efficiency of >90% for an ideal ratio of H 2 and O 2 production from water. All these excellent performances are attributed to extremely high conductivity of the defect-free graphene flakes.