Publication
Title
A simple road for the transformation of few-layer graphene into MWNTs
Author
Abstract
We report the direct formation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) by ultrasonication of graphite in dimethylformamide (DMF) upon addition of ferrocene aldehyde (Fc-CHO). The tubular structures appear exclusively at the edges of graphene layers and contain Fe clusters. Pc in conjunction with benzyl aldehyde, or other Fc derivatives, does not induce formation of NT. Higher amounts of Fc-CHO added to the dispersion do not increase significantly MWNT formation. Increasing the temperature reduces the amount of formation of MWNTs and shows the key role of ultrasound-induced cavitation energy. It is concluded that Fc-CHO first reduces the concentration of radical reactive species that slice graphene into small moieties, localizes itself at the edges of graphene, templates the rolling up of a sheet to form a nanoscroll, where it remains trapped, and finally accepts and donates unpaired electron to the graphene edges and converts the less stable scroll into a MWNT. This new methodology matches the long held notion that CNTs are rolled up graphene layers. The proposed mechanism is general and will lead to control the production of carbon nanostructures by simple ultrasonication treatments.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of the American Chemical Society. - Washington, D.C., 1879, currens
Publication
Washington, D.C. : American Chemical Society , 2012
ISSN
0002-7863
DOI
10.1021/JA303131J
Volume/pages
134 :32 (2012) , p. 13310-13315
ISI
000307487200034
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
European Soft Matter Infrastructure (ESMI).
Counting Atoms in Nanomaterials (COUNTATOMS).
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 09.10.2012
Last edited 20.08.2024
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