Single-step synthesis and magnetic separation of graphene and carbon nanotubes in arc discharge plasmas

Abstract

The unique properties of graphene and carbon nanotubes made them the most promising nanomaterials attracting enormous attention, due to the prospects for applications in various nanodevices, from nanoelectronics to sensors and energy conversion devices. Here we report on a novel deterministic, single-step approach to simultaneous production and magnetic separation of graphene flakes and carbon nanotubes in an arc discharge by splitting the high-temperature growth and low-temperature separation zones using a non-uniform magnetic field and tailor-designed catalyst alloy, and depositing nanotubes and graphene in different areas. Our results are very relevant to the development of commercially-viable, single-step production of bulk amounts of high-quality graphene.

Review of Electrochemical Capacitors Based on Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene

“…Graphene flakes and sheets have shown a high electrical conductivity, a high theoretical SSA of 2630 m 2 /g and a very high intrinsic electrical conductivity in plane as well as high mechanical strength and chemical stability comparable with or even better than CNT [77,78]. Generally speaking, there are four approaches to synthesize graphene for the application of EC, that is, mechanical exfoliation from bulk graphite [15], arc discharge [79], chemical vapor deposition and epitaxial growth, [80,81] and reduction of graphite oxides [82]. The synthesis of graphene by exfoliation of graphite is not in large scale so that it is only suitable for fundamental study so far.…”

“…In light of the introduction of magnetic field in arc, our research group presented an approach to synthesize the composite production of carbon nanotubes and graphene simultaneously in a non-uniformed magnetically-enhanced arc discharge, for the purpose of utilization of excellent properties of SWCNT and graphene together [79,101,102]. The paper-based electrodes of ultracapacitor were fabricated by wire wound rod coating method with the ink of the composites and exhibited advantage in contrast to the thin electrodes only made from SWCNT synthesized without magnetic field.…”

Graphene Synthesis, Catalysis with Transition Metals and Their Interactions by Laser Photolysis

“…The fall-out during the discharge process is the end product that contains the carbon nano-structures. Volotskova et al [22] have reported on deterministic, single-step approach to simultaneous production and magnetic separation of graphene flakes and carbon nanotubes. In this arc discharge process, by employing magnetic fields, nanotubes and graphene are deposited in different areas.…”

Role of substrate temperature at graphene synthesis in an arc discharge

“…It has been shown to successfully synthesize graphene flakes with and without the enhancement of a magnetic field. 25,26,27,28,29,30,31 Graphene was synthesized using anodic arc ablation in a helium environment at atmospheric pressure. Samples were collected from the chamber wall or the surface of the magnet, and were characterized with SEM, TEM, AFM and RAMAN spectroscope.…”