Stacking of ultra-thin reduced graphene oxide nanoparticles in supramolecular structures for optoelectronic applications

Octadecylamine functionalized ultra-thin reduced graphene oxide nanoparticles were synthesized and dispersed in the supramolecular order of discotic liquid crystals for the first time. The insertion and properties of the graphene nanoparticles in the columnar mesophase were studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and DC conductivity. Experimental studies indicate the stacking of two-dimensional graphene nanoparticles in the supramolecular order of the columnar mesophase. The dispersion of graphene nanoparticles improves the order in the columnar phase and thus enhances the conductivity of the system.