title: Evolution of the graphite surface in phosphoric acid: an AFM and Raman study.
abstract: Phosphoric acid is an inorganic acid used for producing graphene sheets by delaminating graphite in (electro-)chemical baths. The observed phenomenology during the electrochemical treatment in phosphoric acid solution is partially different from other acidic solutions, such as sulfuric and perchloric acid solutions, where the graphite surface mainly forms blisters. In fact, the graphite surface is covered by a thin layer of modified (oxidized) material that can be observed when an electrochemical potential is swept in the anodic current regime. We characterize this particular surface evolution by means of a combined electrochemical, atomic force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, p.za Leonardo da Vinci 32, I-20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yivlialin
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, p.za Leonardo da Vinci 32, I-20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brambilla
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, p.za Leonardo da Vinci 32, I-20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianlorenzo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bussetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, p.za Leonardo da Vinci 32, I-20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tommasini
authors.affiliation: Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, via Ponzio 34/3, I-20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Li Bassi
authors.affiliation: Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, via Ponzio 34/3, I-20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo Spartaco
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Casari
authors.affiliation: Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, via Ponzio 34/3, I-20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Passoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, p.za Leonardo da Vinci 32, I-20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ciccacci
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, p.za Leonardo da Vinci 32, I-20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Lamberto
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Duò
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, p.za Leonardo da Vinci 32, I-20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castiglioni
keywords: Raman spectroscopy; atomic force microscopy (AFM); electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM); electrochemical delamination of graphite; graphene; phosphoric acid