Aqueous-phase exfoliation of graphite in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone for the production of water-soluble graphenes

Treatment of crystalline graphite fine powder with an aqueous solution of the harmless and versatile substance polyvinylpyrrolidone under sonication results in water-soluble, polymer-protected graphene single layers without oxidation or destruction of the sp2 character of the carbon core. The liquid-phase extraction of graphene monolayers was evidenced by TEM and AFM techniques, while their graphitic character was checked with Raman spectroscopy. Besides PVP, the water-soluble biopolymers albumin and sodic carboxymethylcellulose were also employed successfully in the aqueous-phase exfoliation of graphite, thereby supporting the generic character of the present method using a variety of suitable polymeric extractants.