Graphite Oxide

Carbon based materials play a significant role in nanoscience and nanotechnology applications. Fullerenes, nanotubes, and graphite platelets are often used as nanoscale building blocks. Fabrication and manipulation of these building blocks involves both new physics and new technology. Prior to further processing, however, it is necessary to cut carbon nanotubes or graphite platelets to desired or operable lengths. The available cutting methods combine a broad range of physical and chemical approaches. The physical techniques comprise abrasion, grinding, ball milling, electrical cutting, gamma irradiation, chopping and sonication, whereas chemical methods mostly employ oxidation treatments and fluorination. Physical techniques are easier to comprehend, but surprisingly little has been done to connect oxidation chemistry to the morphology of carbon grids at the atomistic level.

As a first step to construct an atomistic model of graphite oxidization, we have studied isolated functional groups on a graphite nanoplatelet. Based on my calculations, we proposed a novel unzipping mechanism for oxidative processes in graphitic materials [9]. Strain generated by the cooperative alignment of epoxy groups account for the formation of cracks on graphite oxide (GO) and how chemical shortening of carbon nanotubes occurs. This work also leads to an atomistic model which explains the wrinkled structures of a functionalized graphene sheet rather well [8].

We are interested in developing a new nano-composite using thermal exfoliated graphite oxide. Being a theorist, my work focuses on understanding exfoliation processes and the mechanical properties of the resulting material. For example, how can we manipulate and improve mechanical properties of a graphite platelet?