Mechanochemical Exfoliation of 2D Crystals in Deep Eutectic Solvents

We report a method for the large-scale production of 2D materials through the mechanochemical exfoliation of graphite or other layered compounds in deep eutectic solvents. The exfoliation process is based on the double intercalation of Li+ and Et4N+ ions within the layered crystals using the shear forces in the milling chamber as the driving force. The produced materials composed in majority of few-layer, large diameter flakes. The extent of exfoliation was found to be strongly dependent upon the energy input from the milling process, expressed in terms of the milling duration and the rotation speed.