Preparation of Graphene Nanosheets from Graphite Flakes via Shear Assisted Exfoliation

Abstract

Graphene is one of the most important forms of carbon. Due to its exceptional physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, it’s used in different fields such as electronic, energy storage, and medical applications. Therefore, the production of graphene in large quantities, at a low cost, and high quality, has become critical. Using graphite powder, a few layers of graphene sheets were prepared via a series of mechanical exfoliation methods. the dry ball milling process by the planetary mill was used. Thereafter, the milling was followed by shear force and then supported by ultra-sonication to reach the lowest level of the graphene layers. Morphological properties were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Also, structural characterizations were investigated using Raman spectra and X-ray diffraction measurements (XRD) and (FTIR). Findings presented in this research highlighted that the synthesis method followed was found to have several advantages, including low cost and the ease of producing a few layers of graphene nanosheets. Subsequently, the promising efficiency of the used methodology is important.