Facile preparation of graphene nanosheets by pyrolysis of coal-tar pitch with the presence of aluminum

• An efficient method to fabricate graphene nanosheets (GNs) was developed.
• Crystalline GNs can be prepared by pyrolysis of pitch with the presence of aluminum.
• The resultant Al4C3 provides a growth environment for graphene sheets.
• The GNs have an average thickness of 3.95 nm with a high C/O molar ratio of 60:1.

An efficient method to fabricate graphene nanosheets (GNs) from pitch was developed. Results show that crystalline GNs can be prepared by pyrolysis of coal-tar pitch with the presence of aluminum. The resultant Al4C3 provides a growth environment for graphene sheets. After HCl pickling treatment the GNs have an average thickness of 3.95 nm with a high C/O molar ratio of 60:1.