Graphene quantum dots derived from platelet graphite nanofibers by liquid-phase exfoliation

Abstract Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were formed by liquid-phase exfoliation in an ultrasonic bath using platelet graphite nanofibers (PGNFs) as the raw material and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as the exfoliation agent. PGNFs, carbon fibers with graphene nanosheets stacked perpendicular along the fiber axis, were sectioned layer by DMSO for 3 h with ultrasonic assistance to create GQDs. The diameters of the derived GQDs were in the range of 10–30 nm and fewer than five graphene layers were formed. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed that no functional groups were grafted onto the GQDs during the process, indicating that the synthetic route produced high-quality GQDs.