Polymer-supported graphene obtained by a micromechanical tecnique based on shear-stress

A novel, simple and effective micromechanical technique for the synthesis of graphene supported by low density polyethylene (LDPE) is reported. This technique is based on the application of a combination of shear stress and friction force to nanographite to induce its complete exfoliation to graphene. LDPE-supported graphene multilayers of large area were prepared and their morphological, structural and electrical properties were investigated. The samples showed negative photoconductivity under white-light illumination, varying the power density from 27 to 170 mW/cm2.