Graphite nanoribbons prepared by graphitization of poly(4-phthalimide) nanoribbons

•Polyphthalimide nanoribbons were prepared by the reaction-induced crystallization method.•Width of polyphthalimide nanoribbons obtained was ca. 150 nm.•Polyphthalimide nanoribbons were intertwined to form aggregates of diameter 1–2 μm.•The graphitized nanoribbons was a typical turbostratic carbon.

Highly crystalline polyphthalimide nanoribbons were prepared by the reaction-induced crystallization of oligomers during solution polymerization. Polymerization of 1-hexyl 4-aminophthalate and 2-hexyl 4-aminophthalate was carried out at 330 °C in alkyl naphthalene oil. The polyphthalimide nanoribbons had an average width of 150 nm, and were intertwined to form aggregates of diameter 1–2 μm. The polyphthalimide nanoribbons were carbonized/graphitized at 1000–2800 °C to yield graphite nanoribbons consisting of typical graphitized turbostratic carbon. These were polycrystalline with an average interlayer spacing of 0.34 nm.

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