Exfoliación mecánica de grafito en Vórtices de Taylor y su aplicación en electrodos de dióxido de titanio modificados con grafeno

Abstract

This research project shows a development of a methodology to obtain graphene by mechanical exfoliation of graphite in powder. This new methodology presents several advantages comparing with the conventional processes such as low production cost in laboratory, and it is less harmful to the environment. We obtained an adequate mixture of graphite powder, water, and an additive (Tween 80) that increases the viscosity of the solution and generates a toroidal flow (Taylor–Couette flow) which makes a sharp effort over the graphite. This effect was obtained through a mechanical device composed of two concentric and coaxial cylinders in which one of them rotates. As the speed increases, the torque increases rapidly and produces a sharp esforce between two contiguous vortices of Taylor-Couette flow. This force breaks the weak layers of graphite obtaining graphene. It was evaluated the quantity, quality, size, and morphology of the obtened graphene. The results gotten by UV-VIS and RAMAN showed the amount, morphology, and number of layers of the material obtained by exfoliation. With these results we were able to conclude that final product was better quality that the one generated by electrochemical exofoliation.