Formation of graphene sheets through laser exfoliation of highly ordered pyrolytic graphite

Authors

Min Qian, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
Yun-Shen Zhou, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
Yang Gao, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Jong Bok Park, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Tao Feng, East China Normal University
Su Mei Huang, East China Normal University
Zhuo Sun, East China Normal University
Lan Jiang, Beijing Institute of Technology
Yongfeng Lu, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2011

Citation

APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS 98, 173108 (2011); doi:10.1063/1.3584021

Comments

Copyright 2011 American Institute of Physics

Abstract

Freestanding two-dimensional (2D) few-layer graphene was formed through laser exfoliation of highly ordered pyrolytic graphite, using a pulsed neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. Graphene sheets of several nanometers in thickness and micrometers in size were obtained. The laser exfoliation process was investigated at different laser fluences and distances between target and substrate. Three different phases, amorphous carbon, few-layer graphene sheets, and thin graphite films, were obtained as the laser fluence increased. This study reveals an existing route of forming freestanding 2D nanostructures through laser exfoliation.