Low energy pure shear milling: A method for the preparation of graphite nano-sheets

Graphite nano-sheets, having a thickness of the order of 10 nm, high shape asymmetry, and a well preserved crystalline order, have been prepared by a mechanical method based on the grinding of graphite powder under low energy pure shear milling using water as a lubricant. The small applied stress activates the plastic deformation process mainly on the easy gliding (0 0 1) hexagonal planes so that planar flakes bounded by the basal planes are obtained by a purely mechanical process.