title: Ex-MWNTs: graphene sheets and ribbons produced by lithium intercalation and exfoliation of carbon nanotubes.
abstract: We found that multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) can be opened longitudinally by intercalation of lithium and ammonia followed by exfoliation. Intercalation of open-ended tubes and exfoliation with acid treatment and abrupt heating provided the best results. The resulting material consists of: (i) multilayered flat graphitic structures (nanoribbons), (ii) partially open MWNTs, and (iii) graphene flakes. We called the completely unwrapped nanotubes ex-MWNTs, and their large number of edge atoms makes them attractive for many applications.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Materials Department, Laboratory for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Research, IPICYT, San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico.
authors.forename: Abraham G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Cano-Márquez
authors.forename: Fernando J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Macías
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Campos-Delgado
authors.forename: Claudia G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Espinosa-González
authors.forename: Ferdinando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tristán-López
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ramírez-González
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Cullen
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Terrones
authors.forename: Yadira I
authors.initials: YI
authors.lastname: Vega-Cantú