Chemical Mass Production of Graphene Nanoplatelets in ∼100% Yield

ACS Nano. 2016 Jan 26;10(1):274-9. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.5b06840. Epub 2015 Nov 25.

Abstract

Successful application of graphene is hampered by the lack of cost-effective methods for its production. Here, we demonstrate a method of mass production of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) by exfoliation of flake graphite in the tricomponent system made by a combination of ammonium persulfate ((NH4)2S2O8), concentrated sulfuric acid, and fuming sulfuric acid. The resulting GNPs are tens of microns in diameter and 10-35 nm in thickness. When in the liquid phase of the tricomponent media, graphite completely loses its interlayer registry. This provides a ∼100% yield of GNPs from graphite in 3-4 h at room temperature or in 10 min at 120 °C.

Keywords: graphene nanoplatelets; graphite exfoliation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.