Green hydrothermal synthesis of high quality single and few layers graphene sheets by bread waste as precursor

Abstract

Graphene and its derivatives are ideal candidates for a variety of applications due to their distinctive optical, thermal, mechanical, and electronic properties, but its high price limits its application. Because of scalable graphene production method still stands as a serious barrier for its broad use. Here we develop a simple method to produce high quality single layer graphene with approximately 3 $/m2 in cost, while current price is about 56,000 $/m2. Food waste (bread waste) is used as starting material. Therefore, our introduced method also can serve as a valuable alternative to recycle food waste. Precursor concentration, pH and reaction temperature can create significant effects on the quality of final products. Single layer graphene sheet is achieved when concentration, reaction temperature and pH is used in 2 g/L, 180 °C and 7, respectively. Reaction is performed in ambient condition which is an advantage for scale up this method.