Effect of Sonication Time on the Production of Graphene by Electrochemical Exfoliation Method

In this study, Graphene has been synthesized by using electrochemical exfoliation method. Effect of sonication times (15, 30 and 45 min) at room temperature on the production of graphene was investigated. The synthesized graphene were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The crystal structure of the exfoliated graphene were analyzed using XRD. The graphene flakes exhibit a sharp peak centered at 26.5°corresponding to the (002) plane of graphene crystal. It is found that, the crystallite sizes is gradually decreased with increased in sonication time. The FTIR spectrum reveals the prominent appearance of C-O-H group which indicate that OH⁻ radicals exist in conjunction with exfoliated graphene sheets. Graphene flakes with average thickness of 0.2 nm to 0.8 nm were observed using AFM. The electrical conductivity results showed that 45 min sonication time produced the highest electrical conductivity (1.38×10²sm⁻¹). (paper)