Graphite Exfoliation using MnO2 Paste via Sonication in Irradiated Water for Volumetric-Shrinkage Resistant Sponge

Abstract

Graphite exfoliation has been the main mechanism to produce graphene material and its derivatives, such as graphene oxide (GO) and reduced GO (rGO). This study was aimed to exfoliate graphite using MnO2 paste in Zinc-Carbon (ZnC) battery wastes via audio sonication in X-ray irradiated water. The exfoliated graphite (EG) sample was then characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, and SEM. The EG sample was utilized as an additive for producing sponge with heat-induced volumetric-shrinkage resistance property. The irradiated water was obtained by exposing X-ray radiation upon distilled water. The graphite and K2MnO4 were mixed in the irradiated water followed by audio sonication accompanied by stirring and heating. The K2MnO4 was obtained from the MnO2 paste added with KOH. The UV-Vis results showed a shouldering peak at 271 nm indicating that the graphite was succesfully exfoliated. The FTIR test showed the presence of hydroxyl, C-O, CO2, N-O, and C=C functional groups. The XRD showed a peak at 12° for the EG sample similar to the XRD peak of GO. The SEM images showed layers of graphene flakes. The threshold temperature values of the sponge, sponge with EG (sponge+EG), and sponge with graphite (sponge+graphite) were 399.20, 271.03, and 414.82 °C, respectively. The sponge+EG underwent less volume shrinkage compared to ordinary sponge and sponge+graphite, which confirms its volume shrinkage resistant upon heating.
 HIGHLIGHTS
 
 We have exfoliated graphite using MnO2 paste obtained from ZnC battery wastes via audio sonication in X-ray irradiated water
 The UV-Vis characterization of the exfoliated graphite shows a shouldering peak at 271 nm. The FTIR test shows the presence of hydroxyl, C-O, CO2, N-O, and C=C functional groups. The XRD diffractogram shows a peak at 12° of an amorphous material. Finally, the SEM image shows layers of graphene flakes
 The exfoliated graphite is used as an additive to produce a volume-shrinkage resistant sponge, which underwent less volume shrinkage compared to ordinary sponge and sponge with graphite
 
 GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT