Efficient and large-scale synthesis of few-layered graphene using an arc-discharge method and conductivity studies of the resulting films

An arc-discharge method using a buffer gas containing carbon dioxide has been developed for the efficient and large-scale synthesis of few-layered graphene. The resulting samples of few-layered graphene, well-dispersed in organic solvents such as N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and 1,2-dichlorobenzene (o-DCB), were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The electrical conductivity and transparency of flexible films prepared using a direct solution process have also been studied.