Solutions of fully exfoliated individual graphene flakes in low boiling point solvents

Graphenide solutions (solutions of negatively charged graphene flakes) have been prepared in low boiling point solvents such as tetrahydrofuran (THF) by dissolution of the graphite intercalation compound (GIC) KC8. The presence of two-dimensional objects in solution, with an average lateral size of over one micron, is evidenced by light scattering analysis. High resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis shows that the solubilized graphene flakes are exclusively single and double layers with no evidence for thicker species. Molecular dynamics simulations support the graphene folding, observed in TEM, and suggest it is triggered by solvent nanodrops.