SIMPLE SYNTHESIS OF GRAPHENE NANOSHEETS USING A MICROWAVE–ASSISTED METHOD
In this research, few–layer–graphene (FLG) sheets had been successfully fabricated by using a microwave–assisted method. First, graphite intercalation compounds were prepared from potassium–tetrahydrofuran (K–THF) –expanded graphite by solvothermal process, and then the exfoliation was assisted by microwave radiation and sonication process. The resulted nano–graphene has average thickness about ~ 2 nm with a lateral size of 3–7 μm. Raman analysis showed that the as–synthesized graphene nanosheets contain only a few numbers of structural defects or impurities. X–ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra revealed that the nano–graphene consisted of several peaks similar to those of graphite, indicating the effectiveness of the solvothermal reduction method in lowering the oxygen level. The electrical conductivity of the as–synthesized nano–graphene was measured to be 170 S/m. In contrast to the Hummer method, the method is simple, inexpensive, and does not generate toxic gas. This simple method could provide the synthesis of high quality nano–graphene on a large scale.