Characterisation of thin films of graphene–surfactant composites produced through a novel semi-automated method

WALCH, Nik J, NABOK, Aleksey, DAVIS, Frank and HIGSON, Séamus P J (2016). Characterisation of thin films of graphene–surfactant composites produced through a novel semi-automated method. Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology, 7, 209-219.

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Official URL: http://www.beilstein-journals.org/bjnano/content/p...
Link to published version:: https://doi.org/10.3762/bjnano.7.19

Abstract

In this paper we detail a novel semi-automated method for the production of graphene by sonochemical exfoliation of graphite in the presence of ionic surfactants, e.g., sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The formation of individual graphene flakes was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, while the interaction of graphene with surfactants was proven by NMR spectroscopy. The resulting graphene-surfactant composite material formed a stable suspension in water and some organic solvents, such as chloroform. Graphene thin films were then produced using Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) or electrostatic layerby- layer (LbL) deposition techniques. The composition and morphology of the films produced was studied with SEM/EDX and AFM. The best results in terms of adhesion and surface coverage were achieved using LbL deposition of graphene(-)SDS alternated with polyethyleneimine (PEI). The optical study of graphene thin films deposited on different substrates was carried out using UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry. A particular focus was on studying graphene layers deposited on gold-coated glass using a method of total internal reflection ellipsometry (TIRE) which revealed the enhancement of the surface plasmon resonance in thin gold films by depositing graphene layers.

Item Type: Article
Research Institute, Centre or Group - Does NOT include content added after October 2018: Materials and Engineering Research Institute > Advanced Coatings and Composites Research Centre > Electronic Materials and Sensors Research Group
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.3762/bjnano.7.19
Page Range: 209-219
Depositing User: Carmel House
Date Deposited: 22 Nov 2016 17:02
Last Modified: 18 Mar 2021 15:53
URI: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/14115

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