Exfoliation of graphite into graphene in aqueous solutions of inorganic salts

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Khaled Parvez - , Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Author)
  • Zhong Shuai Wu - , Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Author)
  • Rongjin Li - , Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Author)
  • Xianjie Liu - , Linköping University (Author)
  • Robert Graf - , Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Author)
  • Xinliang Feng - , Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Author)
  • Klaus Müllen - , Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Author)

Abstract

Mass production of high-quality graphene sheets is essential for their practical application in electronics, optoelectronics, composite materials, and energy-storage devices. Here we report a prompt electrochemical exfoliation of graphene sheets into aqueous solutions of different inorganic salts ((NH 4)2SO4, Na2SO4, K 2SO4, etc.). Exfoliation in these electrolytes leads to graphene with a high yield (>85%, ≥3 layers), large lateral size (up to 44 μm), low oxidation degree (a C/O ratio of 17.2), and a remarkable hole mobility of 310 cm2 V-1 s-1. Further, highly conductive graphene films (11 Ω sq-1) are readily fabricated on an A4-size paper by applying brush painting of a concentrated graphene ink (10 mg mL-1, in N,N′-dimethylformamide). All-solid-state flexible supercapacitors manufactured on the basis of such graphene films deliver a high area capacitance of 11.3 mF cm-2 and an excellent rate capability of 5000 mV s-1. The described electrochemical exfoliation shows great promise for the industrial-scale synthesis of high-quality graphene for numerous advanced applications.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6083-6091
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume136
Issue number16
Publication statusPublished - 23 Apr 2014
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes