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Updated: Mar 30, 2026
Synthesis and Functionalization of 3D Nano-graphene Materials: Graphene Aerogels and Graphene Macro Assemblies
Published on: November 5, 2015
Chemical Mass Production of Graphene Nanoplatelets in ∼100% Yield
Ayrat M Dimiev1, Gabriel Ceriotti1, Andrew Metzger1
1Departments of Chemistry, ‡Materials Science and NanoEngineering, and §Computer Science, and ∥The Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Rice University , MS-222, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, United States.
Abstract:
Successful application of graphene is hampered by the lack of cost-effective methods for its production. Here, we demonstrate a method of mass production of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) by exfoliation of flake graphite in the tricomponent system made by a combination of ammonium persulfate ((NH4)2S2O8), concentrated sulfuric acid, and fuming sulfuric acid. The resulting GNPs are tens of microns in diameter and 10-35 nm in thickness. When in the liquid phase of the tricomponent media, graphite completely loses its interlayer registry. This provides a ∼100% yield of GNPs from graphite in 3-4 h at room temperature or in 10 min at 120 °C.
