Effect of the Plasma Gas Composition on the Properties of Graphene

Abstract

Theoretical and experimental studies of the synthesis of graphene with the introduction of nitrogen into a jet of helium plasma generated by a direct-current plasma torch with a power of to 40 kW at a pressure of 350 Torr have been performed. A propane–butane mixture was used as a source of carbon. As found by scanning microscopy, Raman scattering, and synchronous thermal analysis, the morphology of the synthesis products changed from graphene flakes to carbon nanotubes upon the addition of nitrogen in a ratio of 1 : 1.22 to the jet of helium plasma. The numerical modeling of the process showed that cyanopolyyne molecules, HC9N and HC11N, containing many carbon atoms appeared instead of C60 and C80 in the jets of helium upon the addition of nitrogen.