Synthesis of carbon-mineral composites and graphene.

С/Al₂O₃ and C/MgO carbon-mineral composites were synthesized by propane decomposition over Al₂O₃ at 600–650 °C and MgO carbonization in 1,3-butadiene at 600 °C. The synthesized carbon-mineral composites were studied by EPR, XRD and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that a mosaic structure of carbon clusters was formed on the internal surface of the oxides and gradually grew until it covered its whole surface. A method for synthesis of graphene materials by using MgO as a template followed by its dissolution in hydrochloric acid was suggested. A maximum was observed on the dependence of the graphene surface area on the carbon concentration in the composites. The highest specific surface area of the synthesized graphene about 1800–1900 m²/g was observed for the samples obtained from C-MgO composites containing 8–10 wt.% C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]