Nanomaterials Synthesis

Design, Fabrication and Applications

Yasir Beeran Pottathara, Sabu Thomas, Nandakumar Kalarikkal, Yves Grohens, Vanja Kokol, Yasir Beeran Pottathara, Sabu Thomas, Nandakumar Kalarikkal, Yves Grohens, Vanja Kokol

• Publisher: Elsevier
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9780128157527
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Materials Science
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Nanomaterials Synthesis: Design, Fabrication and Applications combines the present and emerging trends of synthesis routes of nanomaterials with the incorporation of various technologies. The book covers the new trends and challenges in the synthesis and surface engineering of a wide range of nanomaterials, including emerging technologies used for their synthesis. Significant properties, safety and sustainability and environmental impacts of the synthesis routes are explored. This book is an important information source that will help materials scientists and engineers who want to learn more about how different classes of nanomaterials are designed.

• Highlights recent developments in, and opportunities created by, new nanomaterials synthesis methods
• Explains major synthesis techniques for different types of nanomaterials
• Discusses the challenges of using a variety of synthesis methods

Chapter 1

Synthesis and Processing of Emerging Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials

Yasir Beeran Pottathara¹, Yves Grohens², Vanja Kokol³, Nandakumar Kalarikkal^4,5 and Sabu Thomas^6,7,8*, ¹University of Maribor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Slovenia, ²Director of LIMATB Laboratory, University of South Brittany (UBS), France, ³Associate Professor at University of Maribor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Slovenia, ⁴Director and an Associate Professor of International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Kottayam, India, ⁵Director and Chair of School of Pure and Applied Physics, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, India, ⁶The Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, India, ⁷Founder Director of International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Kottayam, India, ⁸Professor at School of Chemical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, India

Abstract

This chapter gives an overview of the synthesis and processing of various two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials. There has been great progress in the field of 2D nanomaterials in recent decades due to their outstanding functionalities, such as large surface area, unique structure, and their aptness for practical applications. We systematically summarize each synthetic method, including insights into their benefits and limitations. As a summary and future perspective, this chapter describes the critical challenges for the design and development of advanced 2D nanomaterials.

Keywords

2D nanomaterials; synthesis; graphene; MXene; transition metal dichalcogenides; metal oxides

Contents

• 1.1 Introduction 1
• 1.2 Emerging 2D Nanomaterials: Uniqueness and Advances 3
• 1.3 Synthesis Approaches 5
  • 1.3.1 Top-Down Approaches 5
  • 1.3.2 Bottom-Up Approaches 13
• 1.4 Summary and Outlook 16
• References 17

1.1 Introduction

Nanoscience and nanotechnology represent the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale, which holds enormous economic potential for the present and future markets. The production of ever smaller, faster, and more efficient products with acceptable price-to-performance ratios has become an increasingly important success factor in the international competition for many industries. One of the first insights into the potential benefits of making devices at the nanoscale was by Richard Feynman in his famous speech in 1959 entitled, “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom.” Recent advances in nanotechnology show that most of the novel devices of the future will be based on the properties of nanomaterials. It is these tools that have taken atomic manipulation out of the chemistry breaker and into the realm of engineering. Nanomaterials can be generally categorized into three types: zero-dimensional (0D), one-dimensional (1D), and two dimensional (2D), and each of these materials exhibits unique properties based on its particular characteristics.

The discovery of exfoliated graphene by Novoselov, Geim, and coworkers in 2004 [1] has generated extensive research on ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials in the fields of physics, chemistry, material science, and nanotechnology, with great economic and sustainable impacts. Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials possess sheet-like structures with single or a few atoms thickness (typically less than 5 nm) and above 100 nm, or up to a few micrometers length, which displays unique physical, chemical, and electronic properties due to electron confinement [2]. One atom thick graphene represents an archetypal model on the basis of its tremendous and surprising properties of ultrahigh specific surface area [3] and room-temperature carrier mobility [1], quantum Hall effect [4], high Young’s modulus [5] and optical transparency [6], and outstanding electrical [1] and thermal [7] conductivities. The large surface-to-volume ratio of 2D nanomaterials supplies more active sites, which makes them highly favorable for surface-active applications [8]. The wide interlayer spacing between nanosheets, including their natural electronic properties such as fast electron and ion transfer, makes 2D nanomaterials attractive for electronic device applications, especially fast-charging devices [2]. Furthermore, the atomic thickness offers them good mechanical flexibility, which makes them appropriate for the development of flexible and stretchable batteries [8].

Graphene-like ultrathin 2D nanomaterials, such as graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) [9,10], hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) [11,12], transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) [13,14], layered metal oxides [15], and layered double hydroxides (LDHs) [16,17], etc., also attract enormous interest because of their versatile properties due to their similar structural features of graphene. Massive research interest on 2D nanomaterials enriched the investigation of other 2D ultrathin materials, such as MXenes [18–20], metals [21], metal−organic frameworks (MOFs) [22,23], covalent−organic frameworks (COFs) [23,24], polymers [25,26], antimonene [27], silicene [28], black phosphorus [29], etc.

This chapter gives an overview of the synthesis and processing of emerging two-dimensional nanomaterials, hybrid structures, and composites potentially applied for various applications. The impact of synthesis routes, processing details, and merits and demerits are discussed in detail. Our aim is to summarize the state-of-art evolution on emerging 2D nanomaterials with a particular emphasis on recent advances and challenges in synthesis and processing.

1.2 Emerging 2D Nanomaterials: Uniqueness and Advances

To date, large numbers of 2D nanomaterials have been synthesized by various routes. Some of the emerging two-dimensional nanomaterials are schematically illustrated in Fig. 1.1. In this section, we describe a brief overview of 2D nanomaterials with their structure, uniqueness properties, and advances. We start with graphene, a single atom thick sheet of graphite, which possesses a hexagonally packed carbon structure. Each of the atoms is covalently bonded with another three neighboring atoms through the σ-bond [30]. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) exhibits a layered structure by van der Waals bonding with the crystal structure of N-atom substituted graphite structure by sp² hybridization [31]. Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) also has a similar layered structure to that of graphite. In this case, equal numbers of boron and nitrogen atoms are arranged in a hexagonal structure by covalent bonds [32]. TMDs have a layered structure with the general chemical formula of MX₂, where M is a transition metal element and X represents a chalcogen such as S, Se, or Te [33]. In TMDs, the monolayers are stacked together by van der Waals forces of attraction similar to graphite. Metal oxides and double hydroxides also have a layered network in addition to black phosphorous and semiconductors.

Figure 1.1 Schematic illustration of some of the emerging 2D nanomaterials. Reproduced with permission from A.H. Khan, S. Ghosh, B. Pradhan, A. Dalui, L.K. Shrestha, S. Acharya, et al., Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn. (2017) [38]. Copyright 2017 The Bulletin of Chemical Society of Japan.

MXenes are another emerging class of 2D transition metal carbides and/or nitride formed by selective etching of the raw MAX phases having general formula of M_n+1 AX_n (n=1, 2, or 3). Here M represents transition metals such as Ti, V, Cr, Nb, etc., A represents an element from group IIIA or IVA, such as Al, Si, Sn, In, etc., and X stands for carbon and/or nitrogen [34].

In MXenes, the MAX phases have a layered structure in which M layers are hexagonally packed together and X atoms fill the octahedral sites, whereas A layers can be selectively etc...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• List of Contributors
• Chapter 1. Synthesis and Processing of Emerging Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials
• Chapter 2. Nanomaterial Synthesis: Chemical and Biological Route and Applications
• Chapter 3. Chemical Approaches for 1D Oxide Nanostructures
• Chapter 4. One- and Two-Dimensional Nanostructures Prepared by Combustion Synthesis
• Chapter 5. Microwave-Assisted Synthesis for Carbon Nanomaterials
• Chapter 6. Strategies in Laser-Induced Synthesis of Nanomaterials
• Chapter 7. Flame Synthesis of Nanostructured Transition Metal Oxides: Trends, Developments, and Recent Advances
• Chapter 8. Design and Fabrication of Porous Nanostructures and Their Applications
• Chapter 9. Synthesis and Processing of Thermoelectric Nanomaterials, Nanocomposites, and Devices
• Chapter 10. Fabrication Techniques of Group 15 Ternary Chalcohalide Nanomaterials
• Chapter 11. Advanced Carbon Materials for Electrochemical Energy Storage
• Chapter 12. Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization, and Application
• Chapter 13. Fabrication, Characterization, and Optimization of MnxOy Nanofibers for Improved Supercapacitive Properties
• Chapter 14. Fabrication of Micro/Nano-Miniaturized Platforms for Nanotheranostics and Regenerative Medicine Applications
• Chapter 15. Recent Trends in the Synthesis of Carbon Nanomaterials
• Index