Methods for preparation of graphene nanoribbons from carbon nanotubes and compositions, thin films and devices derived therefrom

Abstract

Methods for producing macroscopic quantities of oxidized graphene nanoribbons are disclosed herein. The methods include providing a plurality of carbon nanotubes and reacting the plurality of carbon nanotubes with at least one oxidant to form oxidized graphene nanoribbons. The at least one oxidant is operable to longitudinally open the carbon nanotubes. In some embodiments, the reacting step takes place in the presence of at least one acid. In some embodiments, the reacting step takes place in the presence of at least one protective agent. Various embodiments of the present disclosure also include methods for producing reduced graphene nanoribbons by reacting oxidized graphene nanoribbons with at least one reducing agent. Oxidized graphene nanoribbons, reduced graphene nanoribbons and compositions and articles derived therefrom are also disclosed herein.

What is claimed is the following: 
     
         1 . Reduced graphene nanoribbons prepared by:
 providing oxidized graphene nanoribbons; and   reacting the oxidized graphene nanoribbons with at least one reducing agent;   wherein the oxidized graphene nanoribbons are prepared by a method comprising:
 providing a plurality of multi-wall carbon nanotubes; and 
 reacting the plurality of multi-wall carbon nanotubes with at least one oxidant in the presence of at least one acid, wherein the at least one oxidant is operable to longitudinally open the multi-wall carbon nanotubes. 
   
     
     
         2 . Reduced graphene nanoribbons prepared by:
 providing oxidized graphene nanoribbons; and   reacting the oxidized graphene nanoribbons with at least one reducing agent;   wherein the oxidized graphene nanoribbons are prepared by a method comprising:
 providing a plurality of multi-wall carbon nanotubes; and 
 reacting the plurality of multi-wall carbon nanotubes with at least one oxidant in the presence of at least one protective agent and at least one acid, wherein the at least one oxidant is operable to longitudinally open the multi-wall carbon nanotubes. 
   
     
     
         3 . Reduced graphene nanoribbons prepared by:
 providing oxidized graphene nanoribbons;   reacting the oxidized graphene nanoribbons with at least one reducing agent to form reduced graphene nanoribbons; and   functionalizing the reduced graphene nanoribbons with a plurality of functional groups,
 wherein the functionalizing step is conducted after the reacting step, 
 wherein the reduced graphene nanoribbons comprise edges and a basal plane, 
 wherein the plurality of functional groups are bonded to the reduced graphene nanoribbons in a location selected from the group consisting of on the edges, on the basal plane, and combinations thereof, and 
 wherein the plurality of functional groups are introduced using a diazonium species. 
   
     
     
         4 . Shortened graphene nanoribbons,
 wherein the shortened graphene nanoribbons are selected from the group consisting of oxidized graphene nanoribbons, reduced graphene nanoribbons and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         5 . A thin film comprising graphene nanoribbons,
 wherein the graphene nanoribbons are selected from the group consisting of oxidized graphene nanoribbons, reduced graphene nanoribbons and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         6 . The thin film of  claim 5 , wherein the thin film is an electrically conductive thin film, and wherein the graphene nanoribbons are reduced graphene nanoribbons. 
     
     
         7 . The thin film of  claim 5 , wherein the thin film is a semiconductive thin film, and wherein the graphene nanoribbons are oxidized graphene nanoribbons. 
     
     
         8 . The thin film of  claim 5 , wherein the graphene nanoribbons comprise shortened graphene nanoribbons. 
     
     
         9 . The thin film of  claim 5 , wherein the thin film is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         10 . The thin film of  claim 5 , wherein the thin film is deposited by a method selected from the group consisting of spin-coating, dip-coating, doctor-blading, inkjet printing, gravure printing and brushing.