Low-cost, facile synthesis of carbon nanosheets by thermal pyrolysis of polystyrene composite

We present a low-cost, facile method for the bulk synthesis of carbon nanosheets (CNS) by pyrolyzing polystyrene (PS) on iron (Fe) particles in the presence of organophilic montmorillonite (OMT). Gram-scale of product can be obtained per day by using this method. Results revealed that the product was composed of large quantity of randomly agglomerated, leaf-like carbon nanosheets with a thickness between 2 and 8 nm. The obtained CNS were of good quality as revealed by thermal gravimetric analysis. The presence of OMT was beneficial for increasing the yield of CNS because it prevented the pyrolytic aromatic hydrocarbons of PS in the system from escape. The dehydrogenation of the aromatic hydrocarbons on the Fe surface led to the formation of hexagonal rings, which would be subsequently transferred into CNS through epitaxial growth.

Large-scale of carbon nanosheets (CNS) have been synthesized by pyrolysis of polystyrene (PS) on iron (Fe) particles in the presence of organophilic montmorillonite (OMT).Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► CNS with a thickness of 2–8 nm have been synthesized by a simple pyrolysis method.
► The common polystyrene used as carbon source are inexpensive and safe to handle.
► The iron powder is directly used as catalyst without any pre-treatment.
► The method can be easily scaled up to mass production of CNS.