Laser-Plasma Driven Synthesis of Carbon-Based Nanomaterials

In this paper we introduce a laser-plasma driven method for the production of carbon based nanomaterials and in particular bi- and few-layers of Graphene. This is obtained by using laser-plasma exfoliation of amorphous Graphite in a liquid solution, employing a laser with energy in the order of 0.5 J/mm2. Raman and XPS analysis of a carbon colloidal performed at different irradiation stages indicate the formation of Graphene multilayers with an increasing number of layers: the amount of layers varies from a monolayer obtained in the first few seconds of the laser irradiation, up to two layers obtained after 10 s, and finally to Graphite and amorphous carbon obtained after 40 s of irradiation. The obtained colloidals are pure, without any presence of impurities or Graphene oxides, and can easily be deposited onto large surfaces (in the order of cm2) for being characterized or for being used in diverse applications.