LAUSR

Abstract Graphite, graphene, and graphene oxide suspensions can form self-assembled fibers, films, and aerogels. Producing shape-controlled colloids can enhance the control over the properties of nanostructured carbon materials. Here a lithographic exfoliation method which allows for the production of many of shape-controlled graphite platelets from a single column and millions of particles from a single HOPG chip was reported. The polydisperse thickness distribution can be varied from a few microns to tens of nanometers depending on the exfoliation conditions. Preparation of worm-like graphite from lithographic substrates creates aerogel structures with well-defined dimensions and non-trivial 3-dimensional assembly behaviors. Tubular worms and nanolantern structures were produced using ring and banana shaped masks respectively.