Temperature and Copper Concentration Effects on the Formation of Graphene-Encapsulated Copper Nanoparticles from Kraft Lignin

Abstract

The effects of temperature and copper catalyst concentration on the formation of graphene-encapsulated copper nanoparticles (GECNs) were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflectance, and transmission electron microscopy. Results showed that higher amounts of copper atoms facilitated the growth of more graphene islands and formed smaller size GECNs. A copper catalyst facilitated the decomposition of lignin at the lowest temperature studied (600 °C). Increasing the temperature up to 1000 °C retarded the degradation process, while assisting the reconfiguration of the defective sites of the graphene layers, thus producing higher-quality GECNs.

Preparation and photoluminescence properties of graphene quantum dots by decomposition of graphene-encapsulated metal nanoparticles derived from Kraft lignin and transition metal salts

“…Graphene-encapsulated metal nanoparticles have been prepared from metals such as Fe [22], Co [23], Ni [24] and Cu [19,16]. Preparation of graphene-encapsulated copper nanoparticles from lignin has been reported by J. Zhang's research group [19,25]. The idea of utilizing lignin in the preparation of GEMNs is very promising due to the high abundance of lignin in the nature and its high aromatic carbon content [26].…”

Carbon-Based Nanomaterials from Biopolymer Lignin via Catalytic Thermal Treatment at 700 to 1000 °C

“…CBNs with a graphitic framework, including carbon nanotubes, carbon-encapsulated metal nanoparticles, and graphene, have attracted great interest in past decades because of their applicability in numerous areas. For instance, carbon-encapsulated metal nanoparticles have been reportedly used as catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis [ 7 , 8 ] and as drug deliver carrier for biomedical applications [ 9 ] owing to their unique catalytic and magnetic properties [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is the most widely used method for CBNs synthesis, in which a carbonaceous gas or vapor passes through a tubular reactor zone and dissociates to carbon atoms that add onto the catalyst/substrate to form a graphitic-carbon network.…”

Lignin‐derived electrochemical energy materials and systems

“…The synthesis of graphene from renewable and abundant biomass feedstocks using simple pyrolysis reactions has therefore been proposed and is regarded as a promising route, especially considering the unique polymeric structure of lignin, which is comprised of aromatic rings and condensed linkages and shows great similarity to the hexagonal structure of graphene, which makes it an excellent precursor for producing graphene and graphene‐like materials . Some valuable studies on graphene and graphene‐like carbon materials derived from biomass lignin have been reported . As shown in Fig.…”

“…There are three typical synthesis routes from lignin to graphene, including: (i) Catalytic graphitization with transitional metals/metal salt catalysts; (ii) direct carbonization in an inert atmosphere; and (iii) a two‐step route involving oxidative cleavage and aromatic refusion . Among these, catalytic graphitization is the most widely used synthesis route for lignin‐derived graphene materials.…”