A new method for few-layer graphene preparation via plasma-assisted ball milling

We report a new method for few-layer graphene (FLG) preparation via plasma-assisted ball milling with carbide, nitride or oxides as ball-milling media and expandable graphite raw material. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy were applied to characterize the FLG. FLGs prepared by using different ball-milling media such as boron nitride (BN), tungsten carbide (WC), zinc oxide (ZnO), iron oxide (Fe2O3) and germanium oxide (GeO2) were used to determine the relationship between the FLG layer number and inductive capacity of the ball-milling media. Parameters for the synthesis of high-quality FLGs were also optimized.