UV-assisted production of ferromagnetic graphitic quantum dots from graphite

• Published in: Carbon (New York) Vol. 57; pp. 346 - 356
• Main Authors: Swain, Akshaya Kumar, Li, Dan, Bahadur, Dhirendra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Carbon; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Ferromagnetism; Filtration; Fullerenes and related materials; diamonds, graphite; Graphite; Luminescence; Magnetic properties and materials; Materials science; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Physical radiation effects, radiation damage; Physics; Precursors; Quantum dots; Specific materials; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; Studies of specific magnetic materials; Synthesis; Ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation effects (including laser radiation); Sonication; Powders; Ultraviolet radiation; Filtration; Ultraviolet irradiation; Redox reactions; Quantum dots; Graphite; Ferromagnetic materials; Ferromagnetism; Precursor
• ISSN: 0008-6223; 1873-3891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2013.01.082

Graphitic quantum dots (GQDs) are synthesized from natural graphite powder. This process involves a few steps such as oxidation, reduction and filtration to obtain the precursor to prepare GQDs. Finally, a combination of UV irradiation and sonication is used to produce GQDs. These quantum dots are further investigated by various characterization techniques. They exhibit blue luminescence and ferromagnetic behavior. The ferromagnetic nature of the GQDs is discussed and explained. Based on the experimental data obtained and theoretical models available in literature, a possible mechanism for the formation of GQDs is proposed. Their properties, including the production yield can be tuned by simply changing the synthesis parameters.