GRAPHENE NANORIBBONS PREPARED FROM CARBON NANOTUBES VIA ALKALI METAL EXPOSURE

摘要

In various embodiments, the present invention describes a method for preparing functionalized graphene nanoribbons from carbon nanotubes. Generally, the present invention involves exposing a plurality of carbon nanotubes to an alkali metal source in the absence of a solvent, and then adding electrophiles to form functionalized graphene nanoribbons. Exposure of the carbon nanotubes to an alkali metal source in the absence of solvent, while heating generally, opens the carbon nanotubes substantially parallel to their longitudinal axis, which may occur in a spiral manner in some embodiments. The graphene nanoribbons herein are functional at least on their edges and are substantially free of defects. As a result, the functionalized graphene nanoribbons described herein exhibit very high electrical conductivity similar to mechanically peeled graphene.