Simple, fast, and economical graphene synthesis methods are of interest because of its diverse uses in energy storage, composite coatings, water purification, and other applications. This work illustrates a rapid method to produce graphene-like nanocarbon films at room temperature and ambient pressure. We show that, within a dielectric barrier discharge plasma, magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles can convert the liquid small-molecule precursors 1,2-dichloro-4-X-benzene (where X is I, Br, Cl, and F) to graphene-like nanocarbon films. The nanoparticle MgO that catalyzes the reaction is sustainably produced from seawater and enables a dehydrohalogenation reaction that leads to production of the graphene-like product. We investigate the morphology and chemistry of the films and show how these contribute to physical properties like wettability, including the formation of superhydrophobic fluorinated films with water contact angles above 150°. The use of dispersed, nanoscale MgO catalysts allows us to fabricate these coatings on a range of substrates, creating the potential for their use in applications such as advanced coatings, energy storage, and composites.
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