• Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
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• v.68
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• pp.257-266
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• 2018

Here, a controlled green synthesis route involving hydrothermal pre-carbonization cum pyrolysis is reported that converts cucumber into graphene-like carbon nanosheets for supercapacitor application. Transmission electron microscopy analysis reveals the formation of ultra-thin carbon nanosheets with distributed pores. This cucumber derived carbon exhibits high specific capacitance of $143F\;g^{-1}$ in aqueous electrolyte. The two-electrode symmetric cell exhibits a specific capacitance of $58F\;g^{-1}$ at high current density, and high capacitance retention of 97% after 1000 cycles. This simple low-cost process involving widely available cucumber as biomass precursor is a promising, commercially viable approach for developing high-performance supercapacitors.

• Carbon letters
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• v.22
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• pp.60-69
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• 2017

Nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets with a developed porous structure were prepared from polyurethane foams by hydrothermal carbonization following $ZnCl_2$ chemical activation. Scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, solid state $^{13}C$ nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheet structure and composition. The removal of Cr(VI) by the N-doped carbon nanosheets was investigated. The results showed that the maximum removal capacity for chromium of 188 mg/g was found at pH=2.0 with PHC-Z-3. pH had an important effect on Cr(VI) removal and the optimal pH was 2.0. Moreover, amino groups and carboxyl groups in the nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheet played important roles in Cr(VI) removal, and promoted the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III).

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.40.2-40.2
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• 2011

As the old saying 'nothing is complete unless you put it in final shape', although nanosheets (NSs) are a promising functional building block for various electrochemical applications, their true value cannot be realized until they are well woven into electrical conducting materials. As an effort to determine their ideal shape, in this study, a unique manufacturing route to build a layer-by-layer (LBL) structure of two-dimensionally ordered, free-standing ${\beta}$-nickel hydroxide nanosheets (${\beta}$-NHNSs) that are fully electrically addressed with single-wall carbon nanotube fabrics was demonstrated, and its capabilities were verified through a comparative study on the differences between a simple bulky and LBL-structured electrochemical cathode, representing two extreme cases. The LBL-structured cathode showed a discharging current peak that was 25 times larger than the bulky structured one measured in cyclic voltammetry, which implies that the LBL structure is near an ideal electrode configuration for NS-based electrochemical applications.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.207-212
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• 2014

An ultrathin sheet-like carbon nanostructure provides an important model of a two-dimensional graphite structure with strong anisotropy in physical properties. As an easy and cheap route for mass production, RF thermal plasma synthesis of freestanding carbon nanosheet from $CH_4$ (Methane) and $C_3H_8$ (Propane) is presented. Using vapor synthesis process with RF inductively thermal plasma, carbon nanosheets were obtained without catalysts and substrates. The synthesized carbon nanosheets were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. The carbon nanosheets synthesized using methane and propane generally showed 5~6 and 15~16 layers with a wrinkled morphology and size of approximately 100 nm.

• Carbon letters
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.335-338
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• 2009

In this work, the effect of co-carbon fillers on the electrical and mechanical properties of epoxy nanocomposites was investigated. The graphite nanosheets (GNs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were used as co-carbon fillers. The results showed that the electrical conductivity of the epoxy nanocomposites showed a considerable increase upon an addition of MWNTs when GNs were fixed at 2 wt.%. This indicated that low content GNs formed the bulk conductive network and then MWNTs added were intercalated between the GN layers, resulted in the formation of additional conductive pathway. Furthermore, the flexural strength of the epoxy nanocomposites was enhanced with increasing the MWNT content. It was probably attributed to the flexible MWNTs compared with rigid GNs, resulted in the enhancement of the mechanical properties.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.282-293
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• 2017

A new modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) was constructed based on nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiONPs) and graphene nanosheets (Gr) for simultaneous determination of paracetamol (PCM) and mefenamic acid (MFA) in aqueous media and pharmaceutical dosage forms. NiONPs were synthesized via a simple and inexpensive technique and characterized using X-ray diffraction method. Scanning electron microscopy was used for the characterization of the morphology of modified carbon paste electrode (NiONPs/Gr/CPE). Voltammetric studies suggest that the NiONPs and Gr provide a synergistic augmentation that can increase current responses by improvement of electron transfers of these compounds on the NiONPs/Gr/CPE surface. Using cyclic voltammetry, the NiONPs/Gr/CPE showed good sensitivity and selectivity for the determination of PCM and MFA in individually or mixture standard samples in the linear range of $0.1-30{\mu}g\;mL^{-1}$. The resulted limit of detection and limit of quantification were 20 and $60ng\;mL^{-1}$ for PCM, 24 and $72ng\;mL^{-1}$ for MFA, respectively. The analytical performance of the NiONPs/Gr/CPE was evaluated for the determination of PCM and MFA in pharmaceutical dosage forms with satisfactory results.

• Carbon letters
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.113-116
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• 2014

Due to their morphology, electrochemical stability, and function as a conducting carbon matrix, graphene nanosheets (GNS) have been studied for their potential roles in improving the performance of sulfur cathodes. In this study, a GNS/sulfur (GNS/S) composite was prepared using the infiltration method with organic solvent. The structure, morphology and crystallinity of the composites were examined using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The electrochemical properties were also characterized using cyclic voltammetry (CV). The CV data revealed that the GNS/S composites exhibited enhanced specific-current density and ~10% higher capacity, in comparison with the S-containing, activated-carbon samples. The composite electrode also showed better cycling performance for multiple charge/discharge cycles. The improvement in the capacity and cycling stability of the GNS/S composite electrode is probably related to the fact that the graphene in the composite improves conductivity and that the graphene is well dispersed in the composites.

• Carbon letters
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• v.23
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• pp.63-68
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• 2017

• Carbon letters
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• v.19
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• pp.66-71
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• 2016

The development of nanostructured functional materials derived from biomass and/or waste is of growing importance for creating sustainable energy-storage systems. In this study, nanoporous carbonaceous materials containing numerous heteroatoms were fabricated from waste coffee grounds using a top-down process via simple heating with KOH. The nanoporous carbon nanosheets exhibited notable material properties such as high specific surface area (1960.1 m² g⁻¹), numerous redox-active heteroatoms (16.1 at% oxygen, 2.7 at% nitrogen, and 1.6 at% sulfur), and high aspect ratios (>100). These unique properties led to good electrochemical performance as supercapacitor electrodes. A specific capacitance of ~438.5 F g⁻¹ was achieved at a scan rate of 2 mV s⁻¹, and a capacitance of 176 F g⁻¹ was maintained at a fast scan rate of 100 mV s⁻¹. Furthermore, cyclic stability was achieved for over 2000 cycles.

• Carbon letters
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• v.19
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• pp.40-46
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• 2016

Nitrogen-atom doped graphene oxide was considered to prevent the dissolution of polysulfide and to guarantee the enhanced redox reaction of sulfur for good cycle performance of lithium sulfur cells. In this study, we used urea as a nitrogen source due to its low cost and easy preparation. To find the optimum urea content, we tested three different ratios of urea to graphene oxide. The morphology of the composites was examined by field emission scanning electron microscope. Functional groups and bonding characterization were measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Electrochemical properties were characterized by cyclic voltammetry in an organic electrolyte solution. Compared with thermally reduced graphene/sulfur (S) composite, nitrogen-doped graphene/S composites showed higher electroactivity and more stable capacity retention.