Versatile porous graphene flakes derived from alkali metal carbonates using an ultrafast and sulfuric acid-free solid-state oxidation reaction

Abstract

Herein, we report on an unprecedented synthetic method for single-layered GO that takes just a few tens of minutes. This rationally designed solid-state oxidation based on alkali metal carbonates (Li₂CO₃, Na₂CO₃, K₂CO₃) involves a molten salt reaction, which enables the effective exfoliation and oxidation of graphene layers without using H₂SO₄ and KMnO₄. The advantage of this approach is not only the ability to avoid the introduction of strong acid reactants in the reaction process, but this approach also leads to a 4.2 times larger specific surface area than conventional GO. For these reasons, we anticipate that this green, safe, fast and effective approach enables practical applications in graphene-based energy storage and light-absorbing black materials.