Green Synthesis of Clean Edge Graphene Nanosheets Using Natural Precursor

Balakrishnan Somasekaran,Ilamathi Palanivel,Alwarsamy Thirunarayanaswamy

doi:10.37358/mp.21.3.5518

Abstract

Graphene, a two-dimensional crystalline allotrope of carbon, has received greater attention from numerous researchers due to its excellent properties. Graphene could be produced by various techniques, each method has its advantages and disadvantages. In this research article, a novel method using agricultural waste rice husk as a precursor and chemical activation to produce few-layer graphene nanosheets was developed. Traditional approaches significant shortcomings and the environmental concern of agricultural waste have been eliminated. The synthesized material was characterized using FESEM, Raman Spectroscopy, X-Ray diffractometer, UV-Vis absorbance and FTIR analysis. FESEM analysis of the surface morphology revealed smooth edge few-layer graphene. The formation of sp2 hybridized atoms can be seen in XRD spectra at 26.3 degrees. The C=C stretching bonds detected at 1612 cm-1 wavelength are responsible for the graphitic structure.

Highlights

Nanomaterials created a revolutionary impact on new generation materials in food packaging, pharmaceuticals, energy storage, electronics, wastewater treatment because of the excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, high surface area to volume ratio, exceptional strength and resilience
It is clear that thin layered structures of graphene flakes were formed with sharp edges employing the insinuation of potassium atoms into the rice husk ash, causing the elimination of amorphous carbon
Graphene nanosheets were successfully synthesized by eco-friendly method from agricultural waste (RHA) employing chemical activation using KOH

Summary

Introduction

Nanomaterials created a revolutionary impact on new generation materials in food packaging, pharmaceuticals, energy storage, electronics, wastewater treatment because of the excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, high surface area to volume ratio, exceptional strength and resilience. The effect of the implication of nanocarbons in electrochemistry, tribology, drug delivery, optics, biomedical imaging, hydrogen storage has provided a unique outlook to the nano dimensional materials. Due to their peculiar properties, nano carbons such as graphene, fullerenes and carbon nanotubes have intrigued the interest of many researchers such as mechanical stability, light scattering and adsorption, electrochemical flexibility, high conductivity and good corrosion resistance [1,2]. The thermal conductivity of graphene is around 5000 Wm-1k-1, which is exceptional [11]

Methods

Results

Conclusion