Graphene was successfully extracted from raw MRL graphite using direct electrochemical exfoliation without having to purify the material. The quality of graphene (single to several layer thickness and low defects) prepared by this method is comparable with graphene prepared by synthetic method. Summary of Characterisation and Graphene Exfoliation Methods The thermal treatment and electrochemical exfoliation of raw graphite is much more efficient to produce bulk graphene as it is a fast process, without the use of toxic chemicals minimising waste and more importantly produces graphene with outstanding quality, as confirmed by Raman characterisation. Both of these processes are also scalable and can be implemented into industrial production. Figure 3. Comparative Raman spectra of graphene and GO prepared by the three methods confirming the quality and integrity of its structure. MRL Managing Director Craig McGuckin said these results have been a significant advancement in the Company’s steady march towards production and development of high end graphite and graphene products. “While we had always been confident our Sri Lankan graphite would produce high quality, low defect graphene it is an excellent result to have this independently confirmed. From Run of Mine ore through to spherical graphite for Lithium Ion batteries to the production of graphene all the material we can mine can be sold into traditional and high value markets. This places MRL in a position unequalled by graphite projects in any other country.” Mr McGuckin said.
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