Scalable graphene oxide nanosheet production from carbon fibers derived from polyacrylonitrile, a green alternative to mining graphite

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1075626

"heat removes protective polymer coatings from carbon fibers... exfoliate carbon fibers using electrochemical oxidation in water/ 5% nitric acid as conductor, nanoscale graphene oxide layers peel off, with uniform 0.9 nm thick circular/ elliptical nanosheets, 200 mg/ gram carbon fiber... yields 1-atom-thick sheets of graphene oxide with characteristics comparable to that sourced from mined graphite... no harsh chemicals, variations in graphite purity... EV batteries, composites, water purification. electronic devices"