Easy synthesis and characterization of high quality graphene sheets produced from mesocarbon microbeads

An easy method of producing graphene sheets with high quality from mesocarbon microbeads (MCMBs) is demonstrated using oxidation, rapid expansion and ultrasonic treatment. Single layer graphene sheets have been successfully prepared from MCMBs through thermal exfoliation. The structure of the graphene sheets was investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. MCMBs expanded mainly along the c-axis and formed worm-like ellipses from the original regular spherules. Exfoliation continued with the fragmentation of the pieces and produced delamination of the graphene sheets. MCMBs can be an excellent starting material for producing high quality graphene sheets with high yields, becoming an attractive raw material for industrial up-scale. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.