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Top-down synthesis of graphene nanoribbons using different sources of carbon nanotubes
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Top-down synthesis of graphene nanoribbons using different sources of carbon nanotubes

Tuo Wang, Zhe Wang, Rodrigo V. Salvatierra, Emily McHugh and James M. Tour
Carbon (New York), Vol.158, pp.615-623
03/2020
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2019.11.033
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2019.11.033View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Graphene nanoribbons (GNR) have shown great promise for applications in electronics, sensors, energy-conversion/storage devices, conductive composite materials, and biological fields. Commercialized GNR are mostly produced by unzipping high-quality carbon nanotubes (CNT), predominantly Mitsui CNT. Since the remaining stock of Mitsui CNT is running out, there is an urgent need for a reliable, cost-effective substitute. We studied three different brands of CNT as potential CNT sources in place of Mitsui CNT for making GNR. The NTL CNT and the Saratoga CNT were demonstrated to be well unzipped under both oxidative and reductive conditions based on scanning electron microscopy analysis. Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to verify the efficacy of the unzipping reactions. The resulting GNR showed improved dispersibility in multiple solvents and similar electrical conductivity compared to the original CNT. The NTL CNT and the Saratoga CNT are expected to become a good substitute for Mitsui CNT in the large-scale production of GNR. [Display omitted]
Carbon nanotubes Conductivity Graphene nanoribbons Oxidative Reductive Unzipping

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