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Exfoliation and Analysis of Large-area, Air-Sensitive Two-Dimensional Materials
Published on: January 5, 2019
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Graphite exfoliation in cellulose solutions
E S Ferreira1, D S da Silva1, T A L Burgo2
1Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, P.O. Box 6154, Campinas, SP, Brazil13083-970. fernagal@iqm.unicamp.br.
Nanoscale
|June 20, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed a simple method to create stable, hydrophilic nanographite-cellulose dispersions. This process yields thin graphite sheets suitable for advanced nanocomposites and coatings.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Graphite exfoliation typically requires harsh conditions or complex chemical treatments.
- Developing stable, hydrophilic dispersions of exfoliated graphite is challenging due to graphite's inherent hydrophobicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a facile and scalable method for producing hydrophilic nanographite dispersions.
- To investigate the use of cellulose as a dispersant for graphite.
- To explore the potential of these dispersions in creating functional nanocomposites.
Main Methods:
- Dispersing graphite powder in an aqueous alkaline cellulose solution.
- Utilizing mechanical agitation (shaking) to exfoliate graphite.
- Characterizing the exfoliated graphite using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and electron microscopy (TEM, SPM).
Main Results:
- Stable dispersions of hydrophilic, thin graphite sheets (micrometer lateral dimensions) were successfully produced.
- Characterization confirmed successful exfoliation and the binding of cellulose to graphite surfaces.
- The cellulose acted as an effective dispersant by adsorbing onto graphite's hydrophobic planes, creating hydrophilic particles.
Conclusions:
- Dissolved cellulose effectively disperses graphite via adsorption, forming hydrophilic nanographite-cellulose complexes.
- This method offers a simple, mild, and scalable approach to nanographite dispersion.
- The resulting dispersions are promising for applications in conductive lignocellulosic nanocomposites and coatings.
