Issue 9, 2019

Determination of the graphene–graphite ratio of graphene powder by Raman 2D band symmetry analysis

Abstract

Graphene has many unique properties which make it an attractive material for many applications. Analytical methods to differentiate graphene from graphite, like the optical contrast technique, atomic force microscopy or conventional Raman analysis based on intensity ratios, require a specific sample preparation and substrate. Here we report a method to distinguish between few-layer graphene (with less than 10 layers) and graphite that is independent of a specific sample preparation or substrate. Our approach is based on the symmetry of the Raman 2D peak in graphene and its asymmetry in graphite. By evaluating the coefficient of determination R2 of a Voigt profile fit we can establish a benchmark that discerns graphene from graphite. We found values above 0.985 to be characteristic of graphene. The results were confirmed by thickness measurements with atomic force microscopy. We applied this analysis to both individual graphene flakes and graphene flakes as a thick film. This method allows for fast characterisation of large quantities, a feature that is needed for industrial application. It can be used to determine the graphene content of flakes produced from graphite exfoliation and the efficiency of various production methods.

Graphical abstract: Determination of the graphene–graphite ratio of graphene powder by Raman 2D band symmetry analysis

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
30 နို 2018
Accepted
24 ဇန် 2019
First published
24 ဇန် 2019
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Anal. Methods, 2019,11, 1224-1228

Determination of the graphene–graphite ratio of graphene powder by Raman 2D band symmetry analysis

S. Roscher, R. Hoffmann and O. Ambacher, Anal. Methods, 2019, 11, 1224 DOI: 10.1039/C8AY02619J

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements