Phospholipid-mediated exfoliation as a facile preparation method for graphene suspensions.

This paper deals with simple, inexpensive and 'green' methods of production for graphene in colloidal dispersion. Herein, we report on such a method by preparing aqueous graphene dispersions ultrasonic exfoliation in the presence of 1,2-dioleoyl--3-phosphocholine (DOPC). The product predominantly consists of few-layer graphene flakes coated by DOPC with a lateral size of a few tens to hundreds of nm, as confirmed by Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The novelty of this method lies in its dependence on a typical soft matter property: the fluidity of the hydrophobic chains. Stiffer phospholipids such as 1,2-dipalmitoyl--3-phosphocholine (DPPC, which possesses two palmitoyl chains) or 2-oleoyl-1-palmitoyl--3-phosphocholine (POPC, one palmitoyl, one oleyl chain) are ineffective at dispersing graphene; however, in the presence of cholesterol these phospholipids also become effective mediators. The phospholipid coating renders the flakes compatible with biological environments.