Rapid microwave irradiation fast preparation and characterization of few-layer graphenes

Abstract

Few-layer graphenes were fabricated from expandable graphite by rapid microwave exfoliation. Expandable graphite was irradiated in a domestic microwave in full power for 3 min, then soaked in mixed strong hydrogen nitrate and sulfuric acid with volume ratio of 1:1 for 24 h and re-irradiated, thus few-layer graphene sheets were obtained. Specimens gained from every step were selectively characterized by different techniques, such as SEM, XRD, Raman, AFM, XPS, FTIR and combustion elemental analysis. The results show that expandable graphite with loose, porous and worm-like morphology forms instantaneously in microwave irradiation with crackling sound and sparkles, which manifests physical exfoliation of graphene sheets. Few-layer graphene sheets with a dozen or more layers and average thickness of about 4.7 nm are obtained eventually after sequential treatment of microwave irradiation, mixed acid soaking and second microwave irradiation. The as-prepared few-layer graphenes still have high crystallinity and high purity with traces of oxide groups and without serious unrecoverable oxidation damage.