The effects of thionyl chloride on the properties of graphene and graphene-carbon nanotube composites

Anionic dopants have been used to reduce the overall sheet resistance of carbon nanotube and graphene films for transparent conductor applications. These enhanced electronic properties are attributed to an increased number of p-type charge carriers. While there have been many reports of its use, there is little reported insight into the chemical interactions of a commonly used dopant, thionyl chloride (SOCl2), with pristine graphene and its chemically converted derivatives. Here, we explore the effects of thionyl chloride on the physical and chemical properties of graphene and hybrid graphene-carbon nanotube films, focusing on how the changes in conductivity correlate to the morphology of chemically converted graphene and carbon nanotube composites.