Ex-MWNTs: graphene sheets and ribbons produced by lithium intercalation and exfoliation of carbon nanotubes.
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.
Cano-Márquez
Abraham G
AG
Advanced Materials Department, Laboratory for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Research, IPICYT, San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico.
Rodríguez-Macías
Fernando J
FJ
Campos-Delgado
Jessica
J
Espinosa-González
Claudia G
CG
Tristán-López
Ferdinando
F
Ramírez-González
Daniel
D
Cullen
David A
DA
Smith
David J
DJ
Terrones
Mauricio
M
Vega-Cantú
Yadira I
YI