Simple Route for Synthesis of Multilayer Graphene Nanoballs by Flame Combustion of Edible Oil

We reports a novel and simple method to synthesize the three-dimensional (3D) structured graphene by flame combustion of edible sunflower oil using cotton wick coated with iron acetylacetonate. Graphene material formed in the process was analyzed by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman Spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Raman spectroscopy investigation confirms the formation of graphene due to the presence of the D, G and 2D bands associated with graphene. The characteristic diffraction peak of graphene is also observed in the XRD profiles. Number of graphene layers estimated by XRD is in good agreement with Raman analysis. The obtained low I _D/I _G (∼ 0.6) ratio suggests a relatively low amount of disorder in the synthesized graphene material. Raman studies suggest twisted (folded) morphology of graphene sheets resulting into formation of graphene nanoballs (3D-graphene) as observed by AFM, TEM and SEM. EDS analysis confirms the absence of any metallic impurities.