Basic Insights into Tunable Graphene Hydrogenation

TL;DR

This study investigates how different factors influence the hydrogenation and deuteration of graphite to produce mono- and few-layer graphene, using various characterization techniques to analyze the reaction products.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the effects of source, graphite type, potassium concentration, and solvent on graphene hydrogenation and deuteration outcomes.

Findings

Reaction outcomes depend on hydrogen/deuterium source and graphite nature.

Both mono- and few-layer hydrogenated/deuterated graphene can be produced.

Characterization techniques confirmed the production of layered graphene materials.

Abstract

The hydrogenation and deuteration of graphite with potassium intercalation compounds (GICs) as starting materials was investigated. Characterization of the reactions products (hydrogenated and deuterated graphene) was carried out by thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry (TG-MS) and Raman spectroscopy including statistical Raman spectroscopy (SRS) and -microscopy (SRM). The results reveal that the choice of the hydrogen/deuterium source, the nature of the graphite (used as starting material), the potassium concentration in the intercalation compound as well as the choice of the solvent have a great impact on the reaction outcome. Furthermore, it was possible to proof that both mono and few-layer hydrogenated/deuterated graphene can be produced.