Abstract
This work investigated the morphological, structural, and vibrational properties of graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) that were produced by ultrasonication. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and Raman spectroscopy identified 120-nm-thick GNP crystallites and 50–2000 μm2 plates with different areas and shapes. Extensive exfoliation was observed by transmission electron microscopy with abundant multi and some monolayer GNPs. X-ray diffractometry confirmed 43 GNP layers along the c -axis. Rietveld X-ray analysis indicated a GNP crystal lattice with stacks of parallel two-dimensional graphene layers and tightly bound hybridized carbon atoms stacked in a translational …ABAB… sequence in hexagonal rings. Raman scattering indicated well-defined GNPs with few defects and no oxide content. All analytical results reveal that GNPs could have significant potential application in electrically conductive reinforcement devices.
Highlights
Carbon can catenate with elemental carbon or other elements to form organic structures as the basis of life
In this study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD, with Rietveld refinement), and Raman spectroscopy were used to determine the physicochemical properties of graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) that were synthesized using ultrasonic exfoliation of flake graphite in liquid
Expanded-flake graphite was ultrasonicated in isopropyl alcohol to prepare GNPs
Summary
Carbon can catenate with elemental carbon or other elements to form organic structures as the basis of life. The two forms or phases of graphite include rhombohedral and hexagonal crystal structures with similar physical properties (density = 1:9 g/cm, iron-black to steel-grey colour, and deep-blue in transmitted light). Carbon atoms are layered in 0.142-nm-spaced honeycomb lattices, and planes are separated by 0.335 nm [5] Their similar structures prevent characterization techniques from being used to distinguish between graphite and graphene [18]. Many methods exist to prepare GNPs with several layers, quantities, and qualities These methods include mechanical cleavage, thermal exfoliation of acid-intercalated graphite, high-pressure homogenization, micromechanical exfoliation of graphite, chemical vapor deposition, chemical reduction of graphene oxide, electrochemical exfoliation, vacuum filtration, liquid-phase exfoliation, and ultrasonication [24,25,26,27,28,29]. In this study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD, with Rietveld refinement), and Raman spectroscopy were used to determine the physicochemical properties of GNPs that were synthesized using ultrasonic exfoliation of flake graphite in liquid
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call