Russian scientists make graphene "nano jellyfish" to manufacture supercapacitors and battery electrodes

SMM Reuters: Chemists at the Lomonosov Moscow State University in Moscow recently synthesized a special type of graphene nanoparticle that resembles jellyfish and modified it. The structure of these particles allows them to be used in catalytic processes and in the manufacture of conductive polymers. Related research results have been published in Applied Surface Science magazine. Graphene is one of the carbon allotropes, ie, one of the existing forms of "pure" carbon, differing in structure and properties from other forms. Graphene is a hexagonal two-dimensional crystal, whose properties such as strength, thermal conductivity, and conductivity determine that it plays an important role in the research of many chemists and nanoelectronic physicists. The essence of this research is to synthesize unique graphene nanoparticles and modify them. The structure produced by the research team has a very interesting form: the graphene layer is curved at the edge and the edge has a functional "tail". Due to its shape resembling jellyfish, the team called it "a jellyfish-like graphene nanoflakes." The above-described nanoparticles consist of several thin (less than 50 nm) graphene layers, the edges of which are bent due to the characteristics of the preparation method (using a catalyst to accelerate the thermal decomposition of hydrocarbons). After chemical treatment with nitric acid, the edges of the flakes are covered with functional oxygen-containing groups. At high temperatures, the oxygen-containing groups can be converted to nitrogen "tails" by the action of gas+amperes. The research team used a set of chemical physics methods such as spectroscopy and microscopy, making it possible to study fine structures. The researchers said that the material has a very developed specific surface area and can be used to make electrodes for supercapacitors and batteries. In addition, the use of nitrogen atoms to modify its surface helps to change its electrochemical and adsorption (absorption) properties, and can therefore also be used in catalytic processes and in the manufacture of conductive multicomponent polymers.