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Study of technical parameters to prepare graphene dispersions

Presentation · July 2019

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.13823.87202

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 16th International Conference on Nanosciences & Nanotechnologies (NN19)
2-5 July 2019, Thessaloniki, Greece

Study of technical parameters to prepare graphene dispersions by liquid phase

exfoliation

M. Cayambe1, C. Zambrano1, R. Cazar2, T. Tene1, H. Brito3, D. Coello-Fiallos4, C. Vacacela

Gomez1
1
Physics Research Group, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Panamericana Sur Km 1
½, Riobamba (EC060101), Ecuador
2
Facultad de Ciencias, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Panamericana Sur Km 1 ½,
Riobamba (EC060101), Ecuador
3
Grupo de Investigación en Ambiente y Desarrollo - ESPOCH, Escuela Superior Politécnica de
Chimborazo, Panamericana Sur Km 1 ½, Riobamba (EC060101), Ecuador
Facultad de Ingeniería Civil y Mecánica, Universidad Técnica de Ambato, Ambato (EC180150),
Ecuador

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Abstract

Graphene a two-dimensional honeycomb structure has attracted huge attention due to its unique physical and
chemical properties. Since its single layer isolation in 2004 [1], several approaches of graphene production
have been proposed; as example bottom up and top down approaches. Particularly, top down approaches are
most practical routes to obtain graphene due to the starting material employed, is natural graphite. Within those
approaches, the liquid phase exfoliation of graphite [2,3], either aqueous solutions or organic solvents, is a low-
cost and scalable process. However, a standardized liquid phase exfoliation is not reported yet, owing to the
various technical parameters involved, such as: initial graphite concentration, liquid medium, sonication time,
centrifugation time and centrifugation rotor speed. To mitigate this necessity, we report a detailed study of the
crucial role of each one, to produce high-quality well-dispersed graphene in organic solvents.
Dimethylformamide and ethanol are the organic solvents selected to produce graphene from natural graphite
flakes. The research is focused on a step-by-step UV-vis analysis (of the technical parameters) up to obtain
high graphene concentrations in a reduced sonication time. To determinate a possible functionalization on
graphene surface or graphene edges, IR analysis is carried out. 360 samples are analysed. The results are
compared with previous works, and demonstrate that is viable to produce graphene in a short sonication time
(5 hours) at concentrations up to 60 um/ml. This report pretends to be a guide line for large scale graphene
production.

Reference
[1] Novoselov, K. S., et al. "Electric field effect in atomically thin carbon films." science 306.5696 (2004): 666-
669.
[2] Tubon Usca, G., et al. "Liquid-phase exfoliated graphene self-assembled films: Low-frequency noise and
thermal-electric characterization." Applied Surface Science 380 (2016): 268-273.
[3] Vacacela Gomez, C.; et al. “Preparation of Few-Layer Graphene Dispersions from Hydrothermally
Expanded Graphite”. Applied Science 2019, 9, 2539.

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