Production of multi-layer graphene nanoribbons by unzipping multi-walled carbon nanotubes

In this paper the evidence of the formation of short and unzipped multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs) through a facile and scalable microwave method is reported. The approach consists of a KMno4 microwave treatment of MWCNTs; transmission electron microscopy and optical microscopy as well as Raman showed the evidence of the attainment of unzipped MWCNTs. The oxidation of MWCNTs (using a mixture of KMnO4 and H2SO4 during 20 minute) leads to cutting and unzipping of graphitic walls of MWCNTs. The production of such nanostructured architectures may allow for their large scale integration into fields of electronics and composite materials.In this paper the evidence of the formation of short and unzipped multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs) through a facile and scalable microwave method is reported. The approach consists of a KMno4 microwave treatment of MWCNTs; transmission electron microscopy and optical microscopy as well as Raman showed the evidence of the attainment of unzipped MWCNTs. The oxidation of MWCNTs (using a mixture of KMnO4 and H2SO4 during 20 minute) leads to cutting and unzipping of graphitic walls of MWCNTs. The production of such nanostructured architectures may allow for their large scale integration into fields of electronics and composite materials.