Hi, I'm trying to make my own graphene powder. The method I follow is this: 1) Electrochemical exfoliation of graphite sheets using Sodium Sulphate as electrolite. 2) After washing the solution (or dispersion) sonicate it during 1h-1,5h 3) Buchner filtration After Buchner filtration I don't really know what to do to get the fine G powder. I've tried getting the material inside a closed box with some little silica gel bags, trying to dry it out. After that I get the material inside a plastic bag to break up the big particles but I never get to this fine powder. Can anyone help me? I can only keep my graphene nanoplatelets (I think they are) in water. May I use a domestic oven? How much time and temperature? Thank you vey much!
Hi,
It will be necessary to use surfactant in order to get stable graphene suspension in water. After getting it, the trick is to centrifuge - the smallest platelets will be stable in suspension even after fastest rotations; the bigger will sediment. If you dry it it will aggregate to bigger structures.
Hi Dimitar,
Thank you very much for your answer. When you say that it will aggregate to bigger structures, do you mean that the smallest nanoplatelets will restack to the bigger? Or finally the powder comes out?
I’ve had restacking problems after drying the samples. Instead of getting the powder I got a little “stone” of graphene or graphite.
Thanks!
Hi again,
The nanoparticles/platelets will agglomerate upon drying, in micron to millimeter big structures. And even to a compact block if your suspension is concentrated. I would suggest to deposit your graphene (very diluted suspension) onto some surface (electrostatic interaction e.g.), carefully wash and then to dry it out. This way you can avoid the agglomeration, although indirectly.
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