In this work, the reduced graphene nanosheets were synthesized from pre-exfoliated graphite flakes. The pristine graphite flakes were firstly pre-exfoliated to graphite nanoplatelets in the presence of acetic acid. The obtained graphite nanoplatelets were treated by Hummer’s method to produce graphite oxide sheets and were finally exfoliated to graphene nanosheets by ultrasonication and reducti...

Different bulk structures of graphite oxide were systematically investigated using density functional theory (DFT). Our model consisted of a hexagonal in-plane structure of graphene with hydroxyl and epoxide groups, and different oxidation levels and water content. The graphitic AB stacking order was stable in anhydrous graphite oxide, independent of oxidation levels. The hydrogen bonding inter...

Fine-grained isotropic graphite is the material of choice for the production target and the beam catchers at the planned Super-FRS fragment separator at FAIR. Heavyion irradiation studies of graphite are needed, as radiation damage will ultimately limit the lifetime of these components. Polycrystalline graphite and highly-oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) were irradiated with energetic ions an...

Dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria are ubiquitous in soils worldwide, possess the ability to transfer electrons outside of their cell membranes, and are capable of respiring with various metal oxides. Reduction of iron oxides is one of the more energetically favorable forms of anaerobic respiration, with a higher energy yield than both sulfate reduction and methanogenesis. As such, this proc...

Boron strongly modifies electronic and diffusion properties of graphite. We report the first ab initio study of boron interaction with the point defects in graphite, which includes structures, thermodynamics, and diffusion. A number of possible diffusion mechanisms of boron in graphite are suggested. We conclude that boron diffuses in graphite by a kick-out mechanism. This mechanism explains th...

Graphite is an excellent material for bipolar plates used in Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell due to its great chemical resistance, but the brittle nature makes it difficult to manufacture. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) based on layer-by-layer manufacturing technology can fabricate graphite bipolar plates with complex gas flow channels. To improve the performance of bipolar plates inc...

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, EIS, has been applied for characterization of electrochemically modified graphite electrodes in the sulphuric acid solution. Graphite modifications were performed by potential cyclization between potentials of graphite oxide formation/reduction, different number of cycles, and prolonged reduction steps after cyclization. Impedance spectra measured at two ...

We report the synthesis of tubular graphite cones using a chemical vapor deposition method. The cones have nanometer-sized tips, micrometer-sized roots, and hollow interiors with a diameter ranging from about 2 to several tens of nanometers. The cones are composed of cylindrical graphite sheets; a continuous shortening of the graphite layers from the interior to the exterior makes them cone-sha...

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) provides a way to fabricate graphite composite bipolar plates, which significantly reduces time and cost at the research and development stage of bipolar plates, as compared with the conventional fabrication methods of compression molding and injection molding. Different graphite materials (natural graphite, synthetic graphite, carbon black, and carbon fiber) wer...

Over the history of carbon, it is generally acknowledged that Bernal AB stacking of the sp2 carbon layers is the unique crystalline form of graphite. The universal graphite structure is synthesized at 2,600~3,000 °C and exhibits a micro-polycrystalline feature. In this paper, we provide evidence for a metastable form of graphite with an AA' structure. The non-Bernal AA' allotrope of graphite is...