| Yenny Hernandez, Valeria Nicolosi, Mustafa Lotya, Fiona M Blighe, Zhenyu Sun, Sukanta De, IT McGovern, Brendan Holland, Michelle Byrne, Yuri Gun'ko, John Boland, Peter Niraj, Georg Duesberg, Satheesh Krishnamurti, Robbie Goodhue, John Hutchison, Vittorio Scardaci, Andrea C. Ferrari, and Jonathan N Coleman
This study presents a high-yield method for producing graphene through liquid phase exfoliation of graphite in certain organic solvents. The researchers demonstrate that graphene dispersions with concentrations up to 0.01 mg/ml can be achieved by exfoliating graphite in solvents such as N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). The process relies on the balance between the energy required to exfoliate graphene and the solvent-graphene interaction, which is optimal when the solvent's surface energy matches that of graphene. The resulting graphene is defect-free and unoxidized, as confirmed by various spectroscopic techniques. The method allows for the production of high-quality, monolayer and few-layer graphene with yields up to 12% by mass, and the process can be improved through sediment recycling. The study also shows that the method is versatile and scalable, enabling the production of graphene-based composites and films for various applications, including transparent electrodes and conductive materials. The research highlights the potential of this method for large-scale graphene production, which is essential for its widespread use in nanotechnology. The findings suggest that the solvent-graphene interaction is primarily van der Waals rather than covalent, and that the best solvents have surface tensions in the range of 40-50 mJ/m². The study also confirms the absence of oxidation and structural defects in the produced graphene, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. The method is scalable and can be used to produce graphene in various environments and substrates, offering a promising alternative to existing methods of graphene production.This study presents a high-yield method for producing graphene through liquid phase exfoliation of graphite in certain organic solvents. The researchers demonstrate that graphene dispersions with concentrations up to 0.01 mg/ml can be achieved by exfoliating graphite in solvents such as N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). The process relies on the balance between the energy required to exfoliate graphene and the solvent-graphene interaction, which is optimal when the solvent's surface energy matches that of graphene. The resulting graphene is defect-free and unoxidized, as confirmed by various spectroscopic techniques. The method allows for the production of high-quality, monolayer and few-layer graphene with yields up to 12% by mass, and the process can be improved through sediment recycling. The study also shows that the method is versatile and scalable, enabling the production of graphene-based composites and films for various applications, including transparent electrodes and conductive materials. The research highlights the potential of this method for large-scale graphene production, which is essential for its widespread use in nanotechnology. The findings suggest that the solvent-graphene interaction is primarily van der Waals rather than covalent, and that the best solvents have surface tensions in the range of 40-50 mJ/m². The study also confirms the absence of oxidation and structural defects in the produced graphene, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. The method is scalable and can be used to produce graphene in various environments and substrates, offering a promising alternative to existing methods of graphene production.