UI TAR Graphene 'Paper' 

 See below for larger graphics of the SEM and photograph.

This page is under construction, last update March 23, 2011

Contact Info: ifcheng@uidaho.edu

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An accidental discovery made here at the University of Idaho allows for the formation of large sheets of thick multilayered graphene. It has been accepted for publication by Carbon:

“Synthesis of Graphene Paper from Pyrolyzed Asphalt” I. Francis Cheng, R. Allen Gonzales, Yuqun Xie, Przemysław  R. Brejna, Jency Pricilla Sundararajan, B. A. Fouetio Kengne, D. Eric Aston, David N. McIlroy, Jeremy D. Foutch and Peter R. Griffiths accepted Carbon March 2011. doi:10.1016/j.carbon.2011.03.020

We call the process the University of Idaho Thermolyzed Asphalt Reaction (UITAR). Thick multilayer graphene (≈ 1 µm) are commonly referred to graphene 'paper'. While we recognize that UITAR will have different physico-chemical properties than graphene papers produced by the filtration techniques we will stick with this nomenclature so as to not confuse this work with the single or few layered graphene investigations. The process is based on thermal degradation of high molecular-weight tars hence the acronym UITAR. The process is easily scalable to produce gram to kilogram quantities. A unique feature is the ability to deposit even films of graphene paper onto micro- and nanostructures creating a new class of composite materials. We have deposited UITAR graphene onto silica nanosprings creating graphene nanospring composites (GNSCs). We are now examining UITAR graphene paper and GNSCs for chemical and physical properties and specific applications. We will post these findings here when they are accepted by peer-reviewed journals. Preliminary results indicate metal-like conductivity, and oxidative inertness based on electrochemical investigations. The UI Office of Technology Transfer features this research.

Peer-review has created much confusion as to whether UITAR is classifiable as graphene. Some reviewers regard UITAR as some form of amorphous carbon (see Figure 3.4 and Wikipedia). This stems from an unfamiliarity of the graphene paper literature and misinterpretation of the Raman that we address. Profs. Aston (UI ChemE), Griffiths (UI Chem), and McIlroy (UI Physics) are key collaborators in these physical analyses.

See these pages for more evidence.

SEM

TEM

AFM

Raman & IR

XPS

X-ray Diffraction

SEM and Photograph of UITAR. The SEM clearly shows the layered characteristics expected of graphene paper.  Other photographs.