Radio Frequency-Thermal Plasma Synthesis of Metal Nano-Thin Exfoliated Graphite Hybrid

Nano-metal with nano-thin exfoliated (NTE) graphite hybrid material has been synthesized by radio frequency (RF) thermal plasma. A micro-sized nickel powder and the NTE graphite powder were fed into the RF plasma and nano sized nickel particles attached to the surface of the NTE graphite were found. In the high temperature of RF thermal plasma that is of higher than 10,000 K, the NTE graphite was not vaporized or damaged, while the metal powder was vaporized. The size of nickel nanoparticles on the NTE graphite was 40 80 nme. The size and number density of produced metal nanoparticle can be controlled by the process pressure in a reactor, the feeding ratio of raw materials, and the flow rate of working gas. X-ray diffraction results of the produced hybrid nano material indicate that there was a bonding between the nano metal and the NTE graphite. The inert nature of surface of the NTE graphite has been a barrier for the NTE graphite to be used a compounding additive. The nano metal covered NTE graphite will open up many potential applications of NTE graphite and polymer compound materials.