Low-temperature Exfoliation of Graphene Sheets from FeCl3 and CH3NO2 Co-intercalated Graphite Compound

Abstract

Graphene materials derived through the exfoliation of graphite are always accompanied with high population of defects and/or surface functionalities due to the harsh conditions utilized in the synthesis. We describe herein a scalable approach for the preparation of high quality graphene materials via low-temperature exfoliation of graphite under mild chemical conditions. The microwave induced rapid decomposition of nitromethane at low temperature produces mechanical force that lifts up the graphene sheets from the FeCl3 and CH3NO2 co-intercalated graphite compound without creating defects and functional groups.