A simple mechanical technique to obtain carbon nanoscrolls from graphite nanoplatelets

Gianfranco Carotenuto,Carlo Camerlingo,Luigi Nicolais,Angela Longo,Sergio De Nicola

doi:10.1186/1556-276x-8-403

Abstract

A simple approach for the bulk production of carbon nanoscrolls (CNSs) is described. This method is based on the application of shear-friction forces to convert graphite nanoplatelets into carbon nanoscrolls using a bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) surface. The combined action of shear and friction forces causes the exfoliation of graphite nanoplatelets and the simultaneous roll-up of graphite layers. Evidence of the CNS formation is given by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. These investigations reveal that the CNSs have a long tube-like and fusiform structure with a hollow core surrounded by few layers of graphene. Micro-Raman spectroscopy shows that the produced structures are not defect free, and optical spectroscopy reveals distinctive features due to the presence of two weak absorption bands at 224 and 324 nm.

Highlights

Graphene molecules were first extracted from a graphite crystal by a simple micromechanical approach [1,2]
In this letter we report on a simple and very effective way of fabricating carbon nanoscrolls (CNSs) [6,7,8,9,10] from graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs)
To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to achieve a massive production of well-formed CNSs by applying a combination of shear stress and friction forces to a GNP sample in a very simple technique that does not require the use of any special apparatus

Summary

Introduction

Graphene molecules were first extracted from a graphite crystal by a simple micromechanical approach (mechanical cleavage) [1,2]. During the graphite crystal peeling out process, the applied mechanical stress causes the separation of the graphene layers, contrasting the interlayer interaction forces. This procedure is known as the Scotch type or drawing method since the mechanical exfoliation resembles writing with a pencil. This method has allowed obtaining graphene in sufficient quantities for investigating fundamental physics. Different experimental approaches and chemical synthesis methods have been applied to obtain graphene sheets to be subsequently used to fabricate various devices and materials for specific technological applications. The formation of ripples with local curvature, membranes, ribbons, and scrolled structures raises many problems, both from the theoretical and the experimental point of view, such as what are the governing parameters and what role they play in determining the conformational changes in

Methods

Results

Conclusion