Preparation of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) from twisted structure carbon nanotubes using unzipping technique

Abstract

This work deals with the preparation of graphene nano ribbons (GNRs), which are small bars or strips of graphene with narrow range width less than 50 nm and one atom thick sheet (approximately 140 °A). This material has many applications in electronics, polymer composite, contrast agent bio-imaging and others. This material was prepared from twisted structure of carbon nanotubes CNTs using oxidation process by acids and breaking down by high frequency ultrasonication (sonochemical unzipping). Pre-prepared twisted CNTs were characterized by scanning electron microscope (HRSEM) before treatment. The size, morphology, crystallinity of prepared graphene nanoribbons was also investigated using transmission electron microscope, high resolution transmission electron microscope, and X-ray diffraction and particle size analyzer. The results showed of formation of GNRs with narrow width as lower than 29 nm and uniform sizes. X-ray diffraction reveals Bragg reflections corresponding to the lattice planes (002), (100), (101), (004), and (110) matched with hexagonal system of graphite.