Exfoliation and dispersion of graphene in ethanol-water mixtures

doi:10.1007/s11706-012-0166-4

Front Mater Sci

2012, Vol. 6

Issue (2) : 176-182 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11706-012-0166-4

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Exfoliation and dispersion of graphene in ethanol-water mixtures

Wei-Wei LIU¹, Bao-Yu XIA¹, Xiao-Xia WANG², Jian-Nong WANG³(

)

1. Shanghai Key Laboratory for Laser Processing and Materials Modification, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dong Chuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China; 2. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China; 3. Key Laboratory of Safety Science of Pressurized System (Ministry of Education), School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China

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Abstract

Graphene has attracted much attention as a new nano-carbon for its unique structure and properties. However, production and dispersion of unfunctionalized graphene are still big challenges. Herein, we demonstrate a simple method for preparation and dispersion of such graphene with low cost and non toxicum. This approach is achieved by exfoliating graphite in an ethanol/water mixture and forming stable dispersion of mono- and few-layer graphenes. The ratio of ethanol/water in the mixture is found to be crucial to both the exfoliation and dispersion processes. Exfoliation in pure water or pure ethanol produces no graphene. This method avoids the conventional use of harsh oxidants and surfactants; therefore, the graphitic structure is well maintained without destruction. Benefiting from the use of ethanol and water, it can be easy to prepare transparent and conductive graphene films by vacuum filtering or spray method, and does not need special post-treatment to remove the impurity, which could be beneficial for potential applications in electronic, optic and energy areas.

Keywords graphene liquid-phase exfoliation transparent conductive film solubility parameter

Corresponding Author(s): WANG Jian-Nong,Email:jnwang@ecust.edu.cn

Issue Date: 05 June 2012

Cite this article:

Wei-Wei LIU,Bao-Yu XIA,Xiao-Xia WANG, et al. Exfoliation and dispersion of graphene in ethanol-water mixtures[J]. Front Mater Sci, 2012, 6(2): 176-182.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/foms/EN/10.1007/s11706-012-0166-4
https://academic.hep.com.cn/foms/EN/Y2012/V6/I2/176

Fig.1 Bright-field TEM images of mono-layer graphene flakes.
Electron diffraction pattern of the white spot region in (b). Inset: Diffraction intensities taken along the 110 to110 axis. AFM image (1 μm × 1 μm) showing the thickness of a mono-layer graphene flake on a mica substrate.

Fig.2 UV-vis absorbance results of the solutions with different ethanol concentrations. Dependence of and graphene concentration on the volume fraction of ethanol, with an absorbance coefficient of 3182 L·g·m at 660 nm. Inset: Photographs of the solutions with different ethanol concentrations in water.

Fig.3 The HSP components of dispersive (), polar () and hydrogen-bonding () for the ethanol/water mixtures plotted as a function of the volume fraction of ethanol ().

Fig.4 Image of a graphene film on a glass substrate put on a university logo. Optical transmittance of the film on a glass substrate.

Tab.1 Sheet resistivity of graphene films before and after annealing (300°C, 2 h) in different environments

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