Substrate free synthesis of graphene nanoflakes by atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposition using Ni powder as a catalyst

Graphene nanoflakes (GNFs) were synthesized by atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposition of propane (\(\hbox {C}_{3}\hbox {H}_{8})\) employing Ni (salen) powder without the introduction of a substrate. The graphitic nature of the GNFs was examined by an X-ray diffraction method. Scanning electron microscopy results revealed that GNFs were stacked on top of one another and had a high aspect ratio. Transmission electron microscopy studies suggested that the GNFs were made up of a number of crystalline graphene layers, some of which were even single crystalline as evident from the selected area diffraction pattern. Finally, Raman spectroscopy confirmed the high quality of the GNFs.