abstract
The search for graphene or few-layer graphene production methods that are simple, allow mass production, and yield good quality material continues to provoke intense investigation. The present work contributes to this investigation through the study of the aqueous exfoliation of four types of graphene sources, which are namely graphite and graphite nanoflakes with different morphologies and geographical origins. The exfoliation was achieved in an aqueous solution of a soluble pyrene derivative that was synthesized to achieve maximum interaction with the graphene surface at low concentration (5 x 10(-5) M). The yield of bilayer and few-layer graphene obtained was quantified by Raman spectroscopic analysis, and the adsorption of the pyrene derivative on the graphene surface was studied by thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction. The whole procedure was rationalized with the help of molecular modeling.
keywords
LIQUID-PHASE EXFOLIATION; FUNCTIONALIZED GRAPHENE; GRAPHITE; COMPOSITES; SHEETS; OXIDE; NANOCOMPOSITES; MECHANICS; MOLECULES; CARBON
subject category
Science & Technology - Other Topics; Materials Science
authors
Cunha, E; Proenca, MF; Pereira, MG; Fernandes, MJ; Young, RJ; Strutynski, K; Melle-Franco, M; Gonzalez-Debs, M; Lopes, PE; Paiva, MD
our authors
Karol Strutyński
Assistant Researcher
Manuel Melle-Franco
Principal Researcheracknowledgements
E.C. was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through the PhD scholarship SFRH/BD/87214/2012.