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The Exfoliation of Graphene in Liquids by Electrochemical, Chemical, and Sonication‐Assisted Techniques: A Nanoscale Study
Author(s) -
Xia Zhen Yuan,
Pezzini Sergio,
Treossi Emanuele,
Giambastiani Giuliano,
Corticelli Franco,
Morandi Vittorio,
Zanelli Alberto,
Bellani Vittorio,
Palermo Vincenzo
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201203686
Subject(s) - exfoliation joint , graphene , materials science , graphite , sonication , raman spectroscopy , scanning electron microscope , nanoscopic scale , etching (microfabrication) , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , substrate (aquarium) , graphene oxide paper , composite material , optics , oceanography , physics , layer (electronics) , geology , engineering
The different exfoliation routes of graphite to produce graphene by sonication in solvent, chemical oxidation and electrochemical oxidation are compared. The exfoliation process and roughening of a flat graphite substrate is directly visualized at the nanoscale by scanning probe and electron microscopy. The etching damage in graphite and the properties of the exfoliated sheets are compared by Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The results show the trade‐off between exfoliation speed and preservation of graphene quality. A key step to achieve efficient exfoliation is to couple gas production and mechanical exfoliation on a macroscale with non‐covalent exfoliation and preservation of graphene properties on a molecular scale.