Electrochemical unzipping of multi-walled carbon nanotubes for facile synthesis of high-quality graphene nanoribbons

TitleElectrochemical unzipping of multi-walled carbon nanotubes for facile synthesis of high-quality graphene nanoribbons
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsShinde, DB, Debgupta, J, Kushwaha, A, Aslam, M, Pillai, VK
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume133
Issue12
Pagination4168-4171
Date PublishedMAR
ISSN0002-7863
Abstract

Here we report a remarkable transformation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to nanoribbons composed of a few layers of graphene by a two-step electrochemical approach. This consists of the oxidation of CNTs at controlled potential, followed by reduction to form graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) having smooth edges and fewer defects, as evidenced by multiple characterization techniques, including Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. This type of ``unzipping'' of CNTs (single-walled, multi-walled) in the presence of an interfacial electric field provides unique advantages with respect to the orientation of CNTs, which might make possible the production of GNRs with controlled widths and fewer defects.

DOI10.1021/ja1101739
Type of Journal (Indian or Foreign)Foreign
Impact Factor (IF)10.47
Divison category: 
Physical and Materials Chemistry