Facile and Environmentally Friendly Synthesis of Low-defect Few-Layers Graphene (FLG) Using Combined Shear Exfoliation Methods

Authors

  • Amun Amri Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Riau, Pekanbaru, Riau, 28293, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8896-6405
  • Revika Wulandari Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Riau, Pekanbaru, Riau, 28293,
  • Dhina Fabryza Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Riau, Pekanbaru, Riau, 28293, Indonesia
  • Sunarno Sunarno Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Riau, Pekanbaru, Riau, 28293, Indonesia
  • Desi Heltina Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Riau, Pekanbaru, Riau, 28293, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4269-6010
  • Syaiful Bahri Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Riau, Pekanbaru, Riau, 28293, Indonesia
  • Deki Sarma Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Riau, Pekanbaru, Riau, 28293, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3602-8521
  • Hussein A. Miran Department of Physics, College of Education for Pure Science, Ibn Al-Haitham, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, 10071, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5907-3074
  • M. Mahbubur Rahman Department of Physics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, 1342,
  • Mohammednoor Altarawneh Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, 15551, United
  • Zhong Tao Jiang Surface Analysis and Materials Engineering Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150

Abstract

This study presents an environmentally friendly and scalable method for synthesizing high-quality few-layer graphene (FLG) through a combination of turbulence-assisted shear exfoliation (TASE) and high shear exfoliation (HSE) techniques. By systematically varying the high-shear mixer (HSM) speed (3000–5000 rpm) and processing time (1–3 hours), we precisely controlled key material attributes, including the number of graphene layers, crystallinity, lateral size, and defect density. Optimal conditions (5000 rpm, 3 hours) resulted in FLG with ~2–3 layers, confirmed by a symmetric 2D peak with a full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of ~35 cm⁻¹ and a high I2D/IG ratio (~0.6), indicating excellent structural integrity. The ID/IG ratio (~0.1) further verified the presence of minimal defects, predominantly edge vacancies rather than oxidative disruptions. Raman imaging revealed a dominance of zigzag edge chirality, while TEM and PSA analyses demonstrated control over lateral size (~396.5 nm) and particle uniformity. The application of household dishwashing liquid as a green surfactant innovatively enabled selective and pure exfoliation. This work highlights how precise modulation of shear parameters can directly influence graphene quality, paving the way for sustainable large-scale production of low-defect FLG.

How to Cite

Amun Amri, Revika Wulandari, Dhina Fabryza, Sunarno Sunarno, Desi Heltina, Syaiful Bahri, Deki Sarma, Hussein A. Miran, M. Mahbubur Rahman, Mohammednoor Altarawneh, Zhong Tao Jiang (2025). Facile and Environmentally Friendly Synthesis of Low-defect Few-Layers Graphene (FLG) Using Combined Shear Exfoliation Methods. Journal of Engineering and Technological Sciences, Vol. 57 No. 5 (2025): Vol. 57 No. 5 (2025): October, 613-626. https://doi.org/10.5614/j.eng.technol.sci.2025.57.5.4

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Submitted
November 1, 2024
Accepted
August 13, 2025
Published
September 23, 2025

Keywords

  • few-layer graphene (FLG)
  • high shear exfoliation (HSE)
  • mixer rotation
  • process duration
  • turbulence-assisted shear exfoliation (TASE)

How to Cite

Facile and Environmentally Friendly Synthesis of Low-defect Few-Layers Graphene (FLG) Using Combined Shear Exfoliation Methods. (2025). Journal of Engineering and Technological Sciences, 57(5), 613-626. https://doi.org/10.5614/j.eng.technol.sci.2025.57.5.4

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