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Chemical Preparation of Graphene Materials Results in Extensive Unintentional Doping with Heteroatoms and Metals
Author(s) -
Chua Chun Kiang,
Ambrosi Adriano,
Sofer Zdeněk,
Macková Anna,
Havránek Vladimír,
Tomandl Ivo,
Pumera Martin
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201404205
Subject(s) - graphene , heteroatom , graphite , oxide , materials science , doping , reagent , chemical synthesis , chemical reaction , nanotechnology , graphene oxide paper , chemical engineering , inorganic chemistry , chemistry , organic chemistry , metallurgy , engineering , in vitro , ring (chemistry) , biochemistry , optoelectronics
Chemical synthesis of graphene relies on the usage of various chemical reagents. The initial synthesis step, in which graphite is oxidized to graphite oxide, is achieved by a combination of chemical oxidants and acids. A subsequent chemical reduction step eliminates/reduces most oxygen functionalities to yield graphene. We demonstrate here that these chemical treatments significantly contaminate graphene with heteroatoms/metals, depending on the procedures followed. Contaminations with heteroatoms (N, B, Cl, S) or metals (Mn, Al) were present at relatively high concentrations (up to 3 at %), with their chemical states dependent on the procedures. Such unintentional contaminations (unwanted doping) during chemical synthesis are rarely anticipated and reported, although the heteroatoms/metals may alter the electronic and catalytic properties of graphene. In fact, the levels of unintentionally introduced contaminants on graphene are often higher than typical levels found on intentionally doped graphene. Our findings are important for scientists applying chemical methods to prepare graphene.