Crystalline graphite from an organometallic solution-phase reaction.
We report a chemical method by which graphitic carbon is prepared at reaction temperatures as low as 110 degrees C from readily available molecular reagents. This process requires no forcing conditions such as high pressures, intense light, or electrical discharge but is a simple, catalytic organometallic reaction. The carbon forms in a variety of morphologies including graphene sheets and nanotubes. The mild reaction conditions are similar to those routinely employed in homogeneous catalysis; therefore, they will allow the subtle manipulation of reaction variables to give desired morphologies selectively.
Walter
Erich C
EC
Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA.
Beetz
Tobias
T
Sfeir
Matthew Y
MY
Brus
Louis E
LE
Steigerwald
Michael L
ML