Synthesis of graphene nanosheets by the electrical explosion of graphite powder confined in a tube

The electrical explosion method, due to its simplicity and high efficiency, has attracted significant attention in graphene synthesis. Generally, graphite rods and carbon fibers are used to form graphene by electrical explosions in a liquid medium. In the present work, the preparation of graphene from graphite powder in a tube by electrical explosions was proposed. A certain amount of graphite powder was confined in a tube and electrically exploded in an argon atmosphere. The diameter of the constraint tube affected the microstructure of the as-prepared products (graphite nanosheets and few-layer graphene) under the charging voltage of 14 kV. When the diameter of the constraint tube was 3 mm, explosive products were mainly composed of few-layer graphene. The collision degree between graphite powder particles and the diameter of the constraint tube were the key factors to form graphene by electrical explosions. The underlying mechanism governing the generation of graphene was carefully illustrated. Moreover, a self-designed device for electrical explosions was developed.