# Liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite

> Graphite is split into thin sheets directly in a liquid. The layers are first loosened by expansion and solvothermal intercalation, then torn apart by ultrasound in a solvent whose surface energy matches graphene, such as NMP. Centrifugation removes the thick flakes and leaves stable dispersions of few-layer graphene.

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- Open in the LabCanvas editor (LabCanvas account): https://www.labcanvas.com/editor.html?template=liquid-phase-exfoliation
- Updated: 2026-10-14
- Category: Graphene synthesis
- Method: Liquid-phase exfoliation, top-down
- Starting materials: Graphite flakes or expanded graphite
- Product: Dispersions of few-layer and monolayer graphene in a solvent
- Typical size: Sub-micrometre to a few micrometres, mostly few-layer
- Key result: Unoxidized basal plane; edge defects and small flakes from sonication
- Scalability: Medium to high: simple liquid processing
- Figure: 1920 × 1080 px, 56 editable layers (12 generated objects with settings)

## Steps

1. **Expansion**: Loosen the stack so that solvent can enter (e.g. expanded graphite)
2. **Solvothermal intercalation**: Heat with a polar solvent in a sealed vessel; the solvent wets and enters the galleries
3. **Sonication**: Bath or probe ultrasound in NMP or a similar solvent cleaves the layers
4. **Centrifugation**: Thick, unexfoliated flakes sediment; thin sheets stay in the supernatant
5. **Collect the dispersions**: Stable graphene dispersions for inks, films and composites

## Strengths

- No oxidation: conductive, pristine sheets
- Simple, solution-processable
- Works for many layered materials

## Limitations

- Low concentration (about 0.01 mg/mL in the first reports)
- Small, polydisperse flakes; monolayer yield of about 1 wt%
- High-boiling solvents such as NMP are hard to remove

## Uses

- Conductive inks and coatings
- Polymer composites
- Thin films and electrodes

## References

1. Cui et al., “Liquid-phase exfoliation, functionalization and applications of graphene”, Nanoscale 2011. https://doi.org/10.1039/C1NR10127G (primary)
2. Hernandez et al., “High-yield production of graphene by liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite”, Nat. Nanotechnol. 2008. https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2008.215 (method origin)
3. Sumdani et al., “Recent advances of the graphite exfoliation processes and structural modification of graphene: a review”, J. Nanopart. Res. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-021-05371-6 (review)

Credit: Redrawn and simplified after Cui et al., Nanoscale 2011 (doi:10.1039/C1NR10127G).

## Questions

**What does the “Liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite” template show?** Graphite is split into thin sheets directly in a liquid. The layers are first loosened by expansion and solvothermal intercalation, then torn apart by ultrasound in a solvent whose surface energy matches graphene, such as NMP. Centrifugation removes the thick flakes and leaves stable dispersions of few-layer graphene.

**What are the steps shown in “Liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite”?** 1. Expansion: Loosen the stack so that solvent can enter (e.g. expanded graphite). 2. Solvothermal intercalation: Heat with a polar solvent in a sealed vessel; the solvent wets and enters the galleries. 3. Sonication: Bath or probe ultrasound in NMP or a similar solvent cleaves the layers. 4. Centrifugation: Thick, unexfoliated flakes sediment; thin sheets stay in the supernatant. 5. Collect the dispersions: Stable graphene dispersions for inks, films and composites.

**What are the starting materials and the product?** Starting materials: Graphite flakes or expanded graphite. Product: Dispersions of few-layer and monolayer graphene in a solvent.

**Which papers is “Liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite” based on?** Cui et al., “Liquid-phase exfoliation, functionalization and applications of graphene”, Nanoscale 2011 (doi:10.1039/C1NR10127G); Hernandez et al., “High-yield production of graphene by liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite”, Nat. Nanotechnol. 2008 (doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.215); Sumdani et al., “Recent advances of the graphite exfoliation processes and structural modification of graphene: a review”, J. Nanopart. Res. 2021 (doi:10.1007/s11051-021-05371-6).

**Can I edit the “Liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite” template?** Yes. Open it in the LabCanvas editor: all 56 layers are editable, including 12 generated objects (structures, plots, equipment) with their own settings. Change the text, colours and layout, then export PNG, TIFF, SVG or PDF.

**Do I need an account to use this template?** Not to view it here. To open and edit it, sign in to LabCanvas or create a free account (the free plan keeps one design of each kind). Downloading the figure is part of LabCanvas Pro (US$19 a month or US$199 a year).