Synthesis and Structural Investigation of Holey Graphene

Research on holey graphene (HG), a structural derivative of graphene has significantly increased in the recent few years. HG possess unique characteristics and properties such as, semiconducting nature, distinctive porous nature with increased surface area, superior chemical reactivity etc. These properties allow researchers and engineers to utilize and explore the material in DNA sequencing, water filtration, to enhance energy storage capabilities, carbon capture etc. However, challenges remain unresolved in controlled synthesis of mass scale HG production with homogeneous pores distribution and precise hole size with controlled defects. In this work, probe sonication and electro-chemical synthesis approaches are implemented to exfoliate few layers of graphene. Subsequently, pores are generated using normal thermal annealing and thermal shock procedures. The synthesized materials are systematically evaluated using various advanced characterization techniques such as, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The characterization unfolds novel properties related to intrinsic nature of HG. Eventually, controlled manufacturing of HG with precise hole size and distribution could be obtained with the understanding of the material.