Abstract
A novel method to synthesize few layer graphene from bulk graphite by mechanical cleavage is presented here. The method involves the use of an ultrasharp single crystal diamond wedge to cleave a highly ordered pyrolytic graphite sample to generate the graphene layers. Cleaving is aided by the use of ultrasonic oscillations along the wedge. Characterization of the obtained layers shows that the process is able to synthesize graphene layers with an area of a few micrometers. Application of oscillation enhances the quality of the layers produced with the layers having a reduced crystallite size as determined from the Raman spectrum. Interesting edge structures are observed that needs further investigation.
Highlights
There is an urgent need to develop a large-scale method to manufacture graphene reliably for various promising applications being developed [1]
There are several unconventional methods such as unzipping carbon nanotubes (CNT), arc discharge, and detonation using chemicals that have been explored for graphene manufacturing
The cleaved layers slide off the diamond wedge surface, are floated on to a water bath arrangement, collected onto a loop and transferred to a copper grid for atomic force microscope (AFM) (Digital Instrument with Nanoscope software) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) (JEM 2010 with DigitaMicrograph software) observations and to a Si/SiO2 substrate for optical and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observation
Summary
There is an urgent need to develop a large-scale method to manufacture graphene reliably for various promising applications being developed [1]. While several laboratory methods to synthesize graphene have been developed and reported, the suitability of these methods to large-scale manufacturing remains to be proven. These methods can be broadly classified as epitaxial growth, colloidal suspension, unconventional methods, and exfoliation. There are several unconventional methods such as unzipping carbon nanotubes (CNT), arc discharge, and detonation using chemicals that have been explored for graphene manufacturing. The arc discharge method involves the use of a high-current arc discharge between a graphite anode
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