Simple Method of Graphene Quantum Dots Preparation from Partially Unzipped Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

A method for producing graphene quantum dots (GQDs) by ultrasonic grinding of e1lectrochemically obtained partially unzipped multi-walled carbon nanotubes is proposed. As a result, photoluminescent GQDs with a blue glow have been obtained from partially unzipped multi-walled carbon nanotubes processed two hours by ultrasonic grinding (UZ-CNTs). Various physicochemical methods including photoluminescence spectroscopy have been used to study the electrochemically synthesized UZ-CNTs GQD. After ultrasonic grinding of electrochemically synthesized UZ-CNTs the GQDs were obtained as a result of the exfoliation from the stress-bent MWCNTs walls one- or two-layer cup-shaped graphene nanoparticles 1.5-3 nm in size. The obtained GQDs are promising materials as a new type of catalyst carriers for oxygen electrodes of fuel cells.