title: Searching for magnetism in hydrogenated graphene: using highly hydrogenated graphene prepared via Birch reduction of graphite oxides.
abstract: Fully hydrogenated graphene (graphane) and partially hydrogenated graphene materials are expected to possess various fundamentally different properties from graphene. We have prepared highly hydrogenated graphene containing 5% wt of hydrogen via Birch reduction of graphite oxide using elemental sodium in liquid NH3 as electron donor and methanol as proton donor in the reduction. We also investigate the influence of preparation method of graphite oxide, such as the Staudenmaier, Hofmann or Hummers methods on the hydrogenation rate. A control experiment involving NaNH2 instead of elemental Na was also performed. The materials were characterized in detail by electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy both at room and low temperatures, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, combustible elemental analysis and electrical resistivity measurements. Magnetic measurements are provided of bulk quantities of highly hydrogenated graphene. In the whole temperature range up to room temperature, the hydrogenated graphene exhibits a weak ferromagnetism in addition to a contribution proportional to field that is caused not only by diamagnetism but also likely by an antiferromagnetic influence. The origin of the magnetism is also determined to arise from the hydrogenated graphene itself, and not as a result of any metallic impurities.
authors.affiliation: Division of Chemistry & Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371, Singapore.
authors.forename: Alex Yong Sheng
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Eng
authors.forename: Hwee Ling
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Poh
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Šaněk
authors.forename: Miroslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maryško
authors.forename: Stanislava
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matějková
authors.forename: Zdeněk
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sofer
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pumera
mesh_terms: D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D060526:Magnetic Fields; D008422:Materials Testing; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size
chemical_list: D010087:Oxides; D006108:Graphite; D006859:Hydrogen