Facile preparation of graphene nanosheets by pyrolysis of coal-tar pitch with the presence of aluminum

An efficient method to fabricate graphene nanosheets (GNs) from pitch was developed. Results show that crystalline GNs can be prepared by pyrolysis of coal-tar pitch with the presence of aluminum. The resultant Al4C3 provides a growth environment for graphene sheets. After HCl pickling treatment the GNs have an average thickness of 3.95 nm with a high C/O molar ratio of 60:1.