Intercalation and Ultrasonic Treatment of Graphite : a New Synthetic Route to Graphene

• We will demonstrate that ultrasonic treatment of a graphite crystal in water can lead to the formation of small graphene-like flakes in solution. The delamination of the graphite can be increased dramatically by intercalation of bromine from a Br2-saturated water solution. After ultrasonic treatment, large amounts of graphene-like flakes with varying thickness are observed in SEM and TEM. They can be adsorbed onto a surface of a suitable substrate by a simple dipping technique. The effect of polar and non-polar solvents as well as adsorption of the graphene on hydrophobic and hydrophilic substrates will be demonstrated and compared. DFT calculations of the intercalation process have been carried out using the SIESTA package and the effect of bromine intercalation on cohesive energy and electronic structure will be discussed and compared with experimental data. Finally, the general approach of using ultrasonic treatment and intercalation as a facile route to graphene synthesis compared to other methods will be discussed.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Oorganisk kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Inorganic Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Inorganic chemistry

Oorganisk kemi

Inorganic Chemistry

Oorganisk kemi

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