Chemists have created graphene "nanomedusas"

Scientists have synthesized and modified a special type of graphene nanoparticles, shaped like jellyfish. The structure of these particles allows them to be used in catalytic processes, as well as in the manufacture of conducting polymers. The results of the work of chemists from Moscow State University. M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University published in the journal Applied Surface Science.

“The essence of our work was the synthesis and modification of unique graphene nanoparticles. The resulting structures have a very interesting form: graphene layers are bent at the edges, modified by functional “tails”. Because of the obvious external similarity, we named the products “jellyfish-like graphene nanoscale”, ”said one of the authors of the article, a researcher at the Faculty of Chemistry of the Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov Sergei Chernyak.

Nanoparticles consist of several small (less than 50 nm) graphene layers, while their edges are bent due to the peculiarities of the preparation method – the thermal decomposition of hydrocarbons accelerated by catalysts. After chemical treatment with nitric acid, the edges of the flakes are covered with functional oxygen groups, which can be converted into nitrogen “tails” by the action of ammonia at high temperatures. The study of the fine structure became possible due to the use of a whole complex of physicochemical methods – various types of spectroscopy and microscopy.

“Such materials have a very developed surface, so they can be used in the manufacture of electrodes for supercapacitors and batteries. At the same time, the modification of their surface with nitrogen atoms helps to vary the electrochemical and sorption (absorption) properties. They also have the potential for being used in catalytic processes and in the manufacture of conductive multicomponent polymers, ”concludes Sergey Chernyak

. Source: indicator.ru