High-Yield Production of Selected 2D Materials by Understanding Their Sonication-Assisted Liquid-Phase Exfoliation

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Liquid-phase exfoliation (LPE) is a scalable method for producing 2D nanomaterials.
• Current LPE yields (2-5%) hinder large-scale manufacturing.
• Understanding yield limitations is crucial for process optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the cause of low yields in sonication-assisted LPE.
• Analyze the exfoliation equilibrium of 2D nanomaterials.
• Develop a modified LPE process for high-yield production.

Main Methods:

• Sonication-assisted liquid-phase exfoliation of graphene, boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs), and molybdenum disulfide nanosheets (MoS2 NS).
• Analysis of the equilibrium between exfoliated and flocculated nanosheets.
• Modification of the LPE process to overcome yield limitations.

Main Results:

• Low yields in LPE are attributed to an exfoliation-flocculation equilibrium.
• This equilibrium limits further nanosheet exfoliation.
• Modified LPE increased yields to 14% (graphene), 44% (BNNSs), and 29% (MoS2 NS).

Conclusions:

• The study identifies a key factor limiting 2D nanomaterial production via LPE.
• A modified LPE process effectively overcomes the exfoliation equilibrium.
• This approach enables high-yield production of graphene, BNNSs, and MoS2 NS.