Using a combination of computational and experimental techniques, the exfoliation and suspension of graphene is investigated. MD simulations show that an equimolar mixture of Benzene (C6H6) and Hexafluorobenzene (C6F6) has the highest affinity for graphene and forms an ordered periodic layer extending up to 30� from the sheet surface. Quadrupolar interactions are seen as the driving force of the solvent structuring leading to stacks of alternating C6H6/C6H6 molecules with density oscillations of about 3.4� corresponding to the van der Waals diameter of carbon. Experimentally the surface affinity of the solvents is verified using dynamic contact angle measurements. AFM, SEM, and TEM techniques are used to demonstrate the quality of the graphene sheets after sonication in the mixed solvents. At high concentrations the mixture is freeze-dried at room temperature to produce sponge-like graphene structures held together by graphene interactions and reflecting the structure of the graphene sheets in solution.

Mixed solvents to exfoliate and stabilize graphene sheets

244th National Meeting (2012)

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