Ex-MWNTs: Graphene Sheets and Ribbons Produced by Lithium Intercalation and Exfoliation of Carbon Nanotubes

Abraham G. Cano-Márquez(Arizona State University), Fernando J. Rodríguez-Macías(Arizona State University), Jessica Campos‐Delgado(Arizona State University), Claudia G. Espinosa‐González(Arizona State University), Ferdinando Tristán(Arizona State University), Daniel Ramírez‐González(Arizona State University), David A. Cullen(Arizona State University), David J. Smith(Arizona State University), Mauricio Terrones(Arizona State University), Yadira I. Vega-Cantú(Arizona State University)
Nano Letters
March 4, 2009
Cited by 408

Abstract

We found that multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) can be opened longitudinally by intercalation of lithium and ammonia followed by exfoliation. Intercalation of open-ended tubes and exfoliation with acid treatment and abrupt heating provided the best results. The resulting material consists of: (i) multilayered flat graphitic structures (nanoribbons), (ii) partially open MWNTs, and (iii) graphene flakes. We called the completely unwrapped nanotubes ex-MWNTs, and their large number of edge atoms makes them attractive for many applications.


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