title: A green method of graphene preparation in an alkaline environment.
abstract: We present a new, simple, quick and ecologically friendly method of exfoliating graphite to produce graphene. The method is based on the intercalation of a permanganate M2MnO4 (M=K, Na, Li), which is formed by the reaction of a manganate MMnO4 with an alkali metal hydroxide MOH. The quality of exfoliation and the morphology were determined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and microscopic techniques, including transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. We observed that a stable graphene suspension could be prepared under strongly alkaline conditions in the presence of permanganate and ultrasound assistance. The use of only an alkaline environment for the direct preparation of graphene from graphite structures has not been previously described or applied. It was found that such a method of preparation leads to surprisingly high yields and a stable product for hydrophilic graphene applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Material Chemisty, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry AS CR v.v.i., 250 68 Řež, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Václav
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Štengl
authors.affiliation: Department of Material Chemisty, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry AS CR v.v.i., 250 68 Řež, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jiří
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Henych
authors.affiliation: Department of Material Chemisty, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry AS CR v.v.i., 250 68 Řež, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bludská
authors.affiliation: Department of Material Chemisty, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry AS CR v.v.i., 250 68 Řež, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ecorchard
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, J.E. Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem, 400 96 Ustí n. L., Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kormunda
keywords: Alkaline environment; Exfoliation; Graphene; Ultrasound