(515f) Multicolumn Gel Chromatography for Scalable Separation of Nanosheets Based on Size and Surface Chemistry | AIChE

(515f) Multicolumn Gel Chromatography for Scalable Separation of Nanosheets Based on Size and Surface Chemistry

Authors 

Parviz, D. - Presenter, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Strano, M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Liquid-phase exfoliation of two-dimensional nanomaterials yields nanosheet dispersions with broad size distribution and varying surface chemistry. This polydispersity in size and surface chemistry of nanosheets becomes less desirable when their properties are to be precisely controlled for different applications. Hence, scalable separation methods are highly demanded to make this class of materials industrially relevant. Here, we use multicolumn gel chromatography to separate nanosheets of graphene family based on their size (later size and thickness) and surface chemistry (density of functional groups or defects). We demonstrate that various parameters such as stabilizer type, pH, and ionic strength of the solvent alter the binding affinity of nanosheets on the gel and tune the elution time of nanosheets of different size and surface chemistry. Single particle tracking was used as a powerful tool for quick evaluation of nanosheets size distribution in the bulk. Other spectroscopic techniques such as fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy were applied to investigate the surface of the separated nanosheets.

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