Article abstract
Nature Nanotechnology 3, 101 - 105 (2007)
Published online: 27 January 2008 | doi:10.1038/nnano.2007.451
Subject Categories: Nanomaterials | Synthesis and processing
Processable aqueous dispersions of graphene nanosheets
Dan Li1, Marc B. Müller1, Scott Gilje2, Richard B. Kaner2 & Gordon G. Wallace1
Abstract
Graphene sheets offer extraordinary electronic, thermal and mechanical properties and are expected to find a variety of applications. A prerequisite for exploiting most proposed applications for graphene is the availability of processable graphene sheets in large quantities. The direct dispersion of hydrophobic graphite or graphene sheets in water without the assistance of dispersing agents has generally been considered to be an insurmountable challenge. Here we report that chemically converted graphene sheets obtained from graphite can readily form stable aqueous colloids through electrostatic stabilization. This discovery has enabled us to develop a facile approach to large-scale production of aqueous graphene dispersions without the need for polymeric or surfactant stabilizers. Our findings make it possible to process graphene materials using low-cost solution processing techniques, opening up enormous opportunities to use this unique carbon nanostructure for many technological applications.
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, USA
Correspondence to: Dan Li1 e-mail: danli@uow.edu.au
Correspondence to: Gordon G. Wallace1 e-mail: gwallace@uow.edu.au
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