We present an overview of the main techniques for production and processing of graphene and related materials (GRMs), as well as the key characterization procedures. We adopt a ‘hands-on’ approach, providing practical details and procedures as derived from literature as well as from the authors’ experience, in order to enable the reader to reproduce the results. Section is devoted to ‘bottom up’ approaches, whereby individual constituents are pieced together into more complex structures. We consider graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) produced either by solution processing or by on-surface synthesis in ultra high vacuum (UHV), as well carbon nanomembranes (CNM). Production of a variety of GNRs with tailored band gaps and edge shapes is now possible. CNMs can be tuned in terms of porosity, crystallinity and electronic behaviour. Section covers ‘top down’ techniques. These rely on breaking down of a layered precursor, in the graphene case usually natural crystals like graphite or artificially synthesized materials, such as highly oriented pyrolythic graphite, monolayers or few layers (FL) flakes. The main focus of this section is on various exfoliation techniques in a liquid media, either intercalation or liquid phase exfoliation (LPE). The choice of precursor, exfoliation method, medium as well as the control of parameters such as time or temperature are crucial. A definite choice of parameters and conditions yields a particular material with specific properties that makes it more suitable for a targeted application. We cover protocols for the graphitic precursors to graphene oxide (GO). This is an important material for a range of applications in biomedicine, energy storage, nanocomposites, etc. Hummers’ and modified Hummers’ methods are used to make GO that subsequently can be reduced to obtain reduced graphene oxide (RGO) with a variety of strategies. GO flakes are also employed to prepare three-dimensional (3d) low density structures, such as sponges, foams, hydro- or aerogels. The assembly of flakes into 3d structures can provide improved mechanical properties. Aerogels with a highly open structure, with interconnected hierarchical pores, can enhance the accessibility to the whole surface area, as relevant for a number of applications, such as energy storage. The main recipes to yield graphite intercalation compounds (GICs) are also discussed. GICs are suitable precursors for covalent functionalization of graphene, but can also be used for the synthesis of uncharged graphene in solution. Degradation of the molecules intercalated in GICs can be triggered by high temperature treatment or microwave irradiation, creating a gas pressure surge in graphite and exfoliation. Electrochemical exfoliation by applying a voltage in an electrolyte to a graphite electrode can be tuned by varying precursors, electrolytes and potential. Graphite electrodes can be either negatively or positively intercalated to obtain GICs that are subsequently exfoliated. We also discuss the materials that can be amenable to exfoliation, by ...

Graphene-porphyrin nanohybrid materials with a direct covalent linkage between the graphene carbon network and the functional porphyrin unit have been successfully synthesized via a one-pot reductive diazotation approach. A graphite-potassium intercalation compound (KC) was dispersed in THF, and different isolated porphyrin-diazonium salts were added. The direct covalent binding and the detailed characterization of the functional hybrid material were carried out by Raman spectroscopy, TG-MS, UV/vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy. LDI-ToF mass spectrometry was introduced as a new versatile and sensitive tool to investigate covalently functionalized graphene derivatives and to establish the composition of the respective nanohybrid materials.

The hydrogenation and deuteration of graphite with potassium intercalation compounds as starting materials were investigated in depth. Characterization of the reaction products (hydrogenated and deuterated graphene) was carried out by thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry (TG-MS) and statistical Raman spectroscopy (SRS) and microscopy (SRM). The results reveal that the choice of the hydrogen/deuterium source, the nature of the graphite (used as starting material), the potassium concentration in the intercalation compound, and the choice of the solvent have a great impact on the reaction outcome. Furthermore, it was possible to prove that both mono- and few-layer hydrogenated/deuterated graphene can be produced.

We report af acile and efficient method for the covalent 2D-patterning of monolayer graphene via laser irradiation. We utilized the photo-cleavage of dibenzoylperoxide (DBPO) and optimizedthe subsequent radical additions to non-activated graphene up to that level where controlled covalent 2D-patterning of graphene initiated by spatially resolved laser writing is possible.The covalent 2D-functionalization of graphene,w hich is monitored by scanning Raman microscopy(SRM) is completely reversible.This new concept enables write/read/erase control over the covalent chemical information stored on the graphene surface.

Avoiding and removing surface contamination is a crucial task when handling specimens in any scientific experiment. This is especially true for two-dimensional materials such as graphene, which are extraordinarily affected by contamination due to their large surface area. While many efforts have been made to reduce and remove contamination from such surfaces, the issue is far from resolved. Here we report on an in situ mechanical cleaning method that enables the site-specific removal of contamination from both sides of two dimensional membranes down to atomic-scale cleanliness. Further, mechanisms of re-contamination are discussed, finding surface-diffusion to be the major factor for contamination in electron microscopy. Finally the targeted, electron-beam assisted synthesis of a nanocrystalline graphene layer by supplying a precursor molecule to cleaned areas is demonstrated.