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Abstract
Graphene, carbon onions, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes have been chemically synthesised through a variety of novel pathways. Graphene was synthesised in gram-scale quantities by a bottom-up wet chemical approach involving a solvothermal process. Purification methods of the chemically synthesised graphene were investigated along with the physical properties of the material. High surface areas and long range anti-ferromagnetic behaviour was identified in the synthesised graphene. The graphene was incorporated into superconducting magnesium boride, and nano-sized silicon particles in battery devices. The graphene based composite materials showed enhanced properties to that of the parent materials.
Gram-scale quantities of carbon onions were obtained by a simple combustion method involving a polyaromatic hydrocarbon. The synthesis provided insights into the formation of carbon nanostructures. Carbon onion coatings on glass were found to be superhydrophobic. Solvothermal conditions were used to synthesise very large multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Through a set of interdependent reactions involving lithium metal and polytetrafluoroethylene, it was shown that the formation of carbon nanotubes could be controlled. Under ambient pressures, multi-walled carbon nanotubes were also synthesised by the reaction of sodium metal and carbon tetrachloride.