Synthesis and characterization of graphite nanoplatelets

We report a facile method for the synthesis of graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) from a carbon rod. GNPs were produced by vacuum filtration of a suspension obtained from electrochemically exfoliated carbon rods. The resulting GNPs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. GNPs had sizes of 40–170 nm, thickness of 2.8–5.8 nm and were well dispersed in dimethyl sulfoxide. We discuss a possible mechanism for the formation of GNPs in our experiments.