Synthesis and Characterization of Carbon Nanosheets from Stinging Nettle (Urtica Dioica)

Extensive research in nanotechnology has allowed us to improve and revolutionize technology and industry. This had led to an interest in the synthesis of other forms of carbon nanomaterial, such as graphene, fibre, carbon nanotubes and particles. Nowadays, a variety of carbon materials is available offering the flexibility to modify carbon properties. Therefore, the manufacture of carbon materials in different shapes is a likely way to take advantage of the morphology and relate it to the properties of the carbon nanomaterial. Stinging nettle is a new material to study for the production of carbon nanostructured materials. In this research, carbon nanosheets were successfully prepared from stinging nettle (nettle stem and leaf) using potassium hydroxide (KOH), sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and thermal treatment. This method is simple for producing carbon nanosheets from natural materials. Treating the nettle stem with KOH (solid) produces carbon nanosheets with a thickness of similar to 159.2-252.3 nm, while KOH (solute) treatment led to thinner nanosheets (similar to 70.43-111.2 nm). SEM micrographs of the nettle leaf with KOH (solute) activation show a smooth surface and clearly reveal the formation of carbon nanosheets. However, in the samples activated by KOH (solute) a greater number of micropores were found on the wall. The microstructure and morphology of the samples were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the chemical composition was analysed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS).