Synthesis of graphene-related carbon nanoparticles from a liquid isopropanol precursor by a one-step atmospheric plasma process

[Display omitted] •Nanographite was synthesized from isopropanol by bipolar electric discharges.•Long pulses (µs) promote the creation of amorphous and oxidic carbon structures.•Short pulses (ns) ensure reduction and formation of graphene-related nanostructures.•3 to 13 layers of nanographite were obtained with 11.5 nm distance between defects.•No influence of process times on the product over a period up to 15 min was noticed. This study presents a cost-efficient single-step-method to synthesize nanographite from isopropanol by bipolar pulsed electric discharges. The influence of pulse width within the nanosecond range, repetition frequency within the kilohertz range and processing time on the product was systematically investigated by Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and gas chromatography - mass spectrometry. It was found that long pulses in the microsecond range promote the creation of amorphous and oxidic carbon structures. Although, hydrocarbon cracking and subsequent graphitization do occur, these process conditions are not suitable to drive intermediate reduction processes. In contrast, applying short pulses in the nanosecond regime ensures fast reduction processes and formation of graphene-related nanostructures. The number of observed nanographite layers lies in the range of 3–13 with an average interlayer spacing of 3.4(0.3) Å and an average distance between defects of 11.5(6.0) nm meaning that the produced nanographite is in the area of small defect density. Furthermore, no significant influence of process times on the product properties over a period up to 15 min was observed, indicating good process homogeneity.