Insights into the hierarchical geometries of hybrid low-dimensional carbons

Abstract

Hybrid 3D nanomaterials have been prepared by immobilizing the acid-functionalized MWCNTs into the edge-functionalized/oxidized Few Layer Graphene (FLG) flakes to address the dispersion and exfoliation of FLG flakes. Both acid-functionalized MWCNTs and the edge-oxidized FLG flakes were prepared in the laboratory. The acid-functionalized MWCNTs were prepared via oxidative treatment using a mixture of nitric acid (HNO3) and sulphuric acid (H2SO4). Fenton’s reaction was utilized for the preparation of the edge-oxidized FLG flakes using graphite flakes as the starting material. After the functionalization, the presence of the oxygen-containing functional groups was confirmed using FTIR spectroscopy and XPS spectroscopy. The thermal stabilities of the nanomaterials were compared using TGA thermogram and the 3D nanomaterial was observed to be more stable than any other nanoparticles that were prepared and reported in this paper. The surface morphology was observed using the SEM and TEM, and the immobilized functionalized MWCNTs between the edge functionalized FLG flakes were observed. The XRD spectra of the nanoparticles were also compared and Raman analyses have been carried out.