Synthsis and characterization of graphene/nanoparticles of FePt and Fe3O4 composites by the modified polyol process

Author(s)

Rebecca Faggion Albers

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Carlos.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC/BT)
• Defense date: 2016-01-29

Examining board members

Laudemir Carlos Varanda; Juliano Alves Bonacin; Sergio Antonio Spinola Machado

• Advisor: Laudemir Carlos Varanda

Abstract

Graphene, a two dimensional material, composed only by sp2 hybridized carbon atoms, have attracted much attention of the scientific comunity due to the exceptional electrical, thermal and mechanical properties this material presents. Metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have been incorporated over graphene structure in order to obtain composite materials. The main goal of this work was to develop a new synthetic route to obtain graphene and metallic and metal oxide NPs composites, in one step. Graphene oxide (GO) was sinthesized by the modified Hummers method and exfoliated and reduced by the modified polyol process to obtain graphene. The proposed methodology was adjusted for the obtained GO to be used directly in the polyol process reactional means, not being necessary to dry and to redisperse the material. Several synthesis conditions were tested to obtain graphene, varying the presence of the surfactant and its type, solvent and heating rates. The synthesis diversity let us observe that the presence of oleylamine improved the reducing capacity of the system and it inhibited other carbon structures formation besides graphene. Also, smaller heating rates favor graphene formation to the detriment of these other structures, whereas intermediate temperature plateaus lead to the formation of carbon secondary structures. The synthesis were also adapted in order to obtain graphene/NPs of FePt and Fe3O4 composites. These synthesis were performed in two ways: both metallic precursors and GO present in the flask since the begining of the synthesys and only methalic precursors present in the flask since the begining of the synthsys, with a GO hot injection. Regarding the composites, synthesis performed in benzyl ether (BE) favor the particles formation. And specifically on the graphene/NPs of Fe3O4 composites, it was observed that Fe precursor quantity is decisive on the NPs formation. The results indicated that the employed methodology was very efficient to produce graphene and graphene/NPs composites in one step. And the polyol process proved to be very versatile, thereby the obtained results indicate it\'s possible to obtain graphene/NPs composites, in one step, with any NPs system that can be synthesized by the polyol process, only by adjusting the synthesis condition. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/18542-4 - Synthesis snd characterization of graphene/nanoparticles (FePt, Fe3O4) composites by the modified polyol method
• Grantee: Rebecca Faggion Albers
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master