It was reported that a team of researchers at India's Nagaland University (NU) has developed a novel and environmentally-friendly method for producing bromographene, a modified form of graphene. This new approach is said to not only be faster and safer than traditional methods, but also showcase the potential for eco-friendly chemical processes in industrial applications.
While graphene has exceptional strength and outstanding electrical and thermal conductivity, its practical use is often hindered by its poor solubility in common solvents. This limitation is overcome by bromographene, a modified form of graphene that enhances its chemical reactivity and versatility.
Traditionally, synthesizing bromographene has been challenging, requiring harsh conditions like high temperatures, high pressures, and hazardous chemicals such as liquid bromine. These methods pose significant safety risks and are time-consuming and environmentally unfriendly.
The research, led by Prof. Dipak Sinha from the Department of Chemistry, Nagaland University, Prof. Dinesh Rangappa from the Department of Applied Sciences (Nanotechnology), Visvesvaraya Technological University, and their PhD student Suraj Kumar, introduces a new method for preparing bromographene. Their method uses a safer brominating agent called tetrabutylammonium tribromide to convert reduced graphene oxide into bromographene.
This process is completed in just one hour, the fastest time reported so far, and avoids the need for harsh conditions, making it much safer and more environmentally friendly. This new approach not only speeds up the production process but also achieves one of the highest reported bromine contents, making it useful for further chemical modifications. This can lead to new advancements in electronics, composites, and other high-tech materials.