Synthesis of three-dimensional graphene from petroleum asphalt by chemical vapor deposition

The synthesis of three-dimensional (3D) graphene with petroleum asphalt as a carbon source by chemical vapor deposition on a Ni foam substrate has been studied. The morphology and properties of three-dimensional graphene synthesized from asphalt were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The results demonstrate that most of as-prepared 3D graphene foams have 2-5 layers, and small amounts of them have sheets more than 5 layers. The hydrocarbon fragments in asphalt consist of planar aromatic ring structures are considered to play a key role during the formation of 3D graphene. The results demonstrate that asphalt is one of the suitable starting carbon sources for making 3D graphene networks.