Lithium-assisted exfoliation of pristine graphite for few-layer graphene nanosheets

Minwei Xu; Huiting Sun; Cai Shen; Sen Yang; Wenxiu Que; Yin Zhang; Xiaoping Song

doi:10.1007/s12274-014-0562-4

Lithium-assisted exfoliation of pristine graphite for few-layer graphene nanosheets

Minwei Xu, Huiting Sun, Cai Shen, Sen Yang, Wenxiu Que, Yin Zhang, Xiaoping Song

Research output: Journal Publication › Article › peer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A lithium-assisted approach has been developed for the exfoliation of pristine graphite, which allows the large-scale preparation of few-layer graphene nanosheets. The process involves an unexpected physical insertion and exfoliation, and the graphene nanosheets prepared by this method reveal undisturbed sp²-hybridized structures. A possible two-step mechanism, which involves the negative charge being trapped around the edges of the graphite layers and a subsequent lithiation process, is proposed to explain the insertion of lithium inside the graphite interlayers. If necessary, the present exfoliation can be repeated and thinner (single or 2–3 layer) graphene can be achieved on a large scale. This simple process provides an efficient process for the exfoliation of pristine graphite, which might promote the future applications of graphene.

[Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	801-807
Number of pages	7
Journal	Nano Research
Volume	8
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-014-0562-4
Publication status	Published - Mar 2015
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

exfoliation
few-layer
graphene
lithium Intercalation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
General Materials Science
Condensed Matter Physics
Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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10.1007/s12274-014-0562-4

Cite this

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abstract = "A lithium-assisted approach has been developed for the exfoliation of pristine graphite, which allows the large-scale preparation of few-layer graphene nanosheets. The process involves an unexpected physical insertion and exfoliation, and the graphene nanosheets prepared by this method reveal undisturbed sp2-hybridized structures. A possible two-step mechanism, which involves the negative charge being trapped around the edges of the graphite layers and a subsequent lithiation process, is proposed to explain the insertion of lithium inside the graphite interlayers. If necessary, the present exfoliation can be repeated and thinner (single or 2–3 layer) graphene can be achieved on a large scale. This simple process provides an efficient process for the exfoliation of pristine graphite, which might promote the future applications of graphene.[Figure not available: see fulltext.]",

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AU - Xu, Minwei

AU - Sun, Huiting

AU - Shen, Cai

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AU - Que, Wenxiu

AU - Zhang, Yin

AU - Song, Xiaoping

PY - 2015/3

Y1 - 2015/3

N2 - A lithium-assisted approach has been developed for the exfoliation of pristine graphite, which allows the large-scale preparation of few-layer graphene nanosheets. The process involves an unexpected physical insertion and exfoliation, and the graphene nanosheets prepared by this method reveal undisturbed sp2-hybridized structures. A possible two-step mechanism, which involves the negative charge being trapped around the edges of the graphite layers and a subsequent lithiation process, is proposed to explain the insertion of lithium inside the graphite interlayers. If necessary, the present exfoliation can be repeated and thinner (single or 2–3 layer) graphene can be achieved on a large scale. This simple process provides an efficient process for the exfoliation of pristine graphite, which might promote the future applications of graphene.[Figure not available: see fulltext.]

AB - A lithium-assisted approach has been developed for the exfoliation of pristine graphite, which allows the large-scale preparation of few-layer graphene nanosheets. The process involves an unexpected physical insertion and exfoliation, and the graphene nanosheets prepared by this method reveal undisturbed sp2-hybridized structures. A possible two-step mechanism, which involves the negative charge being trapped around the edges of the graphite layers and a subsequent lithiation process, is proposed to explain the insertion of lithium inside the graphite interlayers. If necessary, the present exfoliation can be repeated and thinner (single or 2–3 layer) graphene can be achieved on a large scale. This simple process provides an efficient process for the exfoliation of pristine graphite, which might promote the future applications of graphene.[Figure not available: see fulltext.]

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Lithium-assisted exfoliation of pristine graphite for few-layer graphene nanosheets

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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