Graphene synthesis, catalysis with transition metals and their interactions by laser photolysis

Abstract

This chapter introduces some facts about graphene, how it was discovered, how it has been realised by several approaches and how to get its identity. Its identity is seen either through cross-sectional TEM or through its unique signature in Raman spectra. The authors also briefly review bottom-up and top-down synthesis approaches that have led either to few layers or monolayer graphene. They discuss the photochemical mechanisms and process of the formation of graphene, graphene’s catalysis of the vanadium oxide mono-layers, the defects leading to inorganic fullerenes of vanadium dioxide/pentoxide and the wrapping of these fullerenes in triangular graphene-like envelops. A general theory and review of KrF laser beam interaction with metallorganic liquids are given. A case study of laser beam – V-(OC2H5)3 interaction is presented and the subsequent formation steps for graphene, V2O5 layers and V2O5 fullerenes are outlined.