title: Continuous electrochemical exfoliation of micrometer-sized graphene using synergistic ion intercalations and organic solvents.
abstract: A novel top-down electrochemical method is demonstrated to prepare gram quantities of few-layer graphene in a single-step, one-pot process. Potential-controlled cathodic reduction is used to intercalate graphite electrodes with alkali-substituted, ammonium- and dimethyl sulfoxide-solvated cations. In situ decomposition of the intercalated compounds breaks the π-π stacking of the graphene layers along the c axis of the graphite gallery, producing 1-20-μm-diameter few-layer graphene sheets, without the need for defect-inducing oxidative or sonication treatments. With a slight modification of the electrodes' configuration, the process can run in a continuous manner, presenting a potentially scalable approach for few-layer graphene production.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of Manchester , Manchester M13 9PL, U.K.
authors.forename: Amr M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Abdelkader
authors.forename: Ian A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Kinloch
authors.forename: Robert A W
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Dryfe