Highly effective three-dimensional functionalization of graphite to graphene by wet chemical exfoliation methods

Abstract

The paper presents results on the three-dimensional (3D) functionalization of graphite-originated flakes to graphene by carbonization of specific precursors in the presence of a hard template. In situ precipitated Na 2 CO 3 nanocrystals or CaCO 3 nano-powder were used as a hard template. Graphene flakes were obtained by a wet chemistry exfoliation of commercial graphite. The flakes were premixed with a non-specific binder and the hard template and then carbonized at temperatures of 700 to 800 °C under the flow of nitrogen. The addition of a template allowed to increase the surface area up 287 m 2 /g for the Na 2 CO 3 template and 333 m 2 /g in the case of CaCO 3 , while the surface area of 25 m 2 /g was noted for the raw graphite. Several instrumental methods were applied for the characterization of the obtained 3D-graphene materials: combustion elemental analysis, SEM, HRTEM, XPS, Raman spectroscopy and low-temperature adsorption of nitrogen. The effect of the addition of a template and the carbonization temperature on the surface area of the 3D structured graphene was demonstrated. The wet-chemistry method led to an efficient deglomeration of graphene flakes to double (DLG) and few (FLG) layered graphene. The proposed method is inexpensive.

Electro-Exfoliation of Graphite to Graphene in an Aqueous Solution of Inorganic Salt and the Stabilization of Its Sponge Structure with Poly(Furfuryl Alcohol)

“…In the recent study we have successfully elaborated a 3D structuring method for durable fixation of graphene flakes obtained from a commercial graphite by wet-chemistry exfoliation [28]. In situ precipitated Na 2 CO 3 nanocrystals or CaCO 3 nano-powder were used as a hard template.…”

The Importance of Structural Factors for the Electrochemical Performance of Graphene/Carbon Nanotube/Melamine Powders towards the Catalytic Activity of Oxygen Reduction Reaction

“…The obtained materials were analyzed on the equipment available at the Faculty of Chemistry of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun and extensively described in our previous work [ 45 ]. Firstly, composite powders were tested by the low-temperature adsorption of nitrogen method.…”

3D-Structured and Blood-Contact-Safe Graphene Materials

“…By definition, graphene is a paternal 2D material; however, its 3D structuring is possible and may deliver a new sort of material comprising graphene’s unique properties (chemical stability, high electric conductivity, and mechanical strength) with ones typically attributed to standard 3D materials (porosity and enhanced surface area) [ 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”