Comparing Different Methods of Obtaining Graphene from Graphite

School Name

Spring Valley High School

Grade Level

11th Grade

Presentation Topic

Chemistry

Presentation Type

Mentored

Mentor

Mentor: Changyong Qin, Benedict College

Abstract

Over the past couple of months intensive research has been carried out to try to determine a cost effective, efficient, and reliable method of producing graphene from graphite. The benefits of graphene are endless as it can be applied to different fields such as water purification as well as energy production. Fortunately, graphene poses relatively no implications, except one. The biggest problem linked with graphene is the ability to produce it, as graphene is extremely thin. In more scientific terms graphene is simply one sheet of graphite, which is fairly difficult to obtain. Two methods were conducted to observe whether graphene could be formed, each with its own little twist. Both methods utilized a state of matter known as supercritical fluid (SCF), to help separate the sheets. This state having characteristics of both gases and liquids, was able to make its way between the sheets. However, this method posed issues as after the graphene was released from heavy pressure, the sheets returned together. The second method hoped to solve this issue by adding a solvent, Dimethylformamide (DMF), to try to strengthen the bonds separating the sheets. As an extra precaution the sheets were then submersed in liquid nitrogen, further strengthening the bonds separating the sheets. The hypothesis of the experiment was that the second method would have higher results, as more was put into it. After conducting the research this was in fact true, with the second method producing substantially higher quantities of graphene than the first.

Location

Wall 226

Start Date

3-25-2017 11:30 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 25th, 11:30 AM

Comparing Different Methods of Obtaining Graphene from Graphite

Wall 226

Over the past couple of months intensive research has been carried out to try to determine a cost effective, efficient, and reliable method of producing graphene from graphite. The benefits of graphene are endless as it can be applied to different fields such as water purification as well as energy production. Fortunately, graphene poses relatively no implications, except one. The biggest problem linked with graphene is the ability to produce it, as graphene is extremely thin. In more scientific terms graphene is simply one sheet of graphite, which is fairly difficult to obtain. Two methods were conducted to observe whether graphene could be formed, each with its own little twist. Both methods utilized a state of matter known as supercritical fluid (SCF), to help separate the sheets. This state having characteristics of both gases and liquids, was able to make its way between the sheets. However, this method posed issues as after the graphene was released from heavy pressure, the sheets returned together. The second method hoped to solve this issue by adding a solvent, Dimethylformamide (DMF), to try to strengthen the bonds separating the sheets. As an extra precaution the sheets were then submersed in liquid nitrogen, further strengthening the bonds separating the sheets. The hypothesis of the experiment was that the second method would have higher results, as more was put into it. After conducting the research this was in fact true, with the second method producing substantially higher quantities of graphene than the first.