【Frontiers in Chemical Technology】North University of China achieves efficient large-scale production of graphene

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North University of China achieves efficient large-scale production of graphene February 17, 2025 Recently, the research team led by Sun Youyi at North University of China utilized the volume exclusion effect in colloid chemistry, combined with a new method for stripping two-dimensional sheet-like nanomaterials, to achieve efficient large-scale production of graphene. 　　It is reported that common methods for preparing graphene include the redox method, mechanical exfoliation, vapor deposition, and supercritical exfoliation; among these, the redox method is currently the primary approach used for the industrial production of graphene. The research team employed a bubble-assisted liquid-phase mechanical exfoliation method, utilizing bubbles generated in situ between the graphite layers to increase the distance between them. This approach replaced the traditional mechanism of using strong acids and oxidizing agents to expand the layer spacing, thereby reducing the physical van der Waals forces between the graphite layers. Combined with the volume repulsion effect in colloid chemistry, this method enabled efficient exfoliation of graphite under the action of liquid-phase mechanical shear forces, addressing the issues of complex processes, numerous defects associated with traditional redox methods for graphene production, as well as low yields from mechanical exfoliation methods. 　　This method not only features a simple production process with good controllability of the graphene structure and batch stability, but also uses fewer strong acids and oxidizing agents as well as generates less wastewater; it thus offers advantages such as a green and environmentally friendly production process, low cost of graphene, few defects, and a high degree of structural integrity. According to Sun Youyi, this method not only provides the possibility for preparing low-cost, high-quality graphene, but also offers new approaches for synthesizing other high-concentration two-dimensional nanosheet materials.