Scalable preparation of carbon nanoparticles and graphene nanoflakes using sand paper abrasion.

The commercial demand for carbon nanoparticles and graphene nanoflakes are high due to their diverse usage over the past few years. However, large scale production processes are quite laborious and time consuming relying mainly on high energy and inert atmospheric condition. Herein, the abrasion technique has been utilized to exfoliate carbon nanoparticles and graphene nanoflakes from willow charcoal stick and graphite rod, respectively. The role of sandpaper in polishing is quite immense for the isolation of nanocarbons from willow charcoal and graphite. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) confirmed the formation of carbon nanoparticles whereas, high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) topography revealed the formation of few layers of graphene nanoflakes. This entire green process was economically viable for scalable preparation of nanocarbons at room temperature and completely independent of inert conditions, usage of solvents, chemicals and the problem of by‐product formation.)) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]