ABSTRACT
The synthesis of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) from graphene is an active area of research. GNRs have unique thermal, chemical, electronic, and mechanical properties. GNRs can be produced using lithographic patterning, plasma etching of graphene, sonochemical breaking of graphene, nano cutting of graphene using metal catalyst, oxidation cutting of graphene, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and unzipping of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). This chapter contains an overview or detailed experimental procedure for each of the aforementioned methods including conditions that can be used to optimize the production of GNRs. Some advantages and limitations pertaining to some of these methods are also mentioned in this chapter. In view of the worldwide growing interest and the development of carbon nanotechnology this chapter also highlights the applicability of CNTs in the fabrication of GNRs. Effective characterization of GNRs can be accomplished via Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, x-ray powder diffraction, atomic force microscopy,
and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The ultrathin width (<10 nm) of GNRs makes GNRs appropriate to be used as active materials for electronic applications.
