Formation of graphite zigzag edges by cathodic electrochemical etching in acidic solution

We examined the edge structure of graphite formed by a cathodic electrochemical reaction in acid solutions associated with water electrolysis. Pole figures of the X-ray diffraction show that the edge orientation is parallel to the zigzag edge direction on a macroscopic scale. The polarization dependence of the G-band and D-band of the Raman spectra is consistent with the zigzag edge formation on a microscopic scale. It was found that the etched carbon atoms are converted to CH4 in the evolving gas and molecular species in the solution.