Synthesis, properties, and dispersion of few-layer graphene fluoride

We have fluorinated few-layer graphene (FLG) by using a low-temperature fluorination route with gaseous ClF3. The treatment process resulted in a new graphene derivative with a finite approximate composition of C2F. TEM studies showed that the product consisted of thin transparent sheets with no more than 10 fluorographene layers stacked together. Spectroscopic methods revealed a predominantly covalent nature of the C-F bonds in the as-synthesized product and we found no evidence for the existence of so-called "semi-ionic" C-F bonds, as observed in bulk C(x)F. In contrast to the case of graphite and typical (thick) expanded graphites, fluorination of FLG did not lead to the intercalation of ClF3 molecules, owing to the lack of a 3D layered structure. The approximate "critical" number of graphene layers that were necessary to form a phase of intercalated compound was estimated to be more than 12, thus providing a "chemical proof" of the difference between the properties of few-layered graphenes and bulk graphites. Fluorographene C2F was successfully delaminated into thinner layers in organic solvents, which is an important property for its integration into electronic devices, nanohybrids, etc.