Preparation of graphene encapsulated copper nanoparticles from CUCl2-GIC

Graphene encapsulated metallic copper nanoparticle composite was prepared by reduction of stage-2 CUCl2-graphite intercalation compounds, using both metallic potassium and potassium borohydride/ethylenediamine matrix as reducing reagents. X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy were employed to characterize the reduction products. The results show that the copper nanoparticles in the graphite matrix are 30 to 70 nm in size. The copper concentration in the reduction product is experimental-condition dependant. A severe structure disorder of graphitic carbon occurs during the reduction procedure. The formation procedure of copper particles in the graphene sheets is discussed briefly. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.