We have discovered and patented a simple way to synthesize nanoscale graphene flakes. The method is simple, uses common hydrocarbon precursors, no nasty chemicals, essentially no energy and is scalable to industrial proportions. A detailed characterization of the material produced via hydrocarbon detonation will be presented to show why it is pristine graphene. The measured detonation in situ temperature is as high as ~ 4000 K and this high temperature might be the cause of formation of graphene in this process. Detonation produced graphene can be oxidized to form the highest ever oxidized graphitic material with unique material composition, C/O~ 1/1. At the end, I will talk about the interest of venture capital entrepreneurs, C-2D Company, to scale-up the detonation technique to mass-produce graphene.

Bio: Arjun Nepal received his Ph.D. in 2015 under the supervision of Dr. C.M. Sorensen. He has published three scientific papers, co-invented one US patent and coauthored two textbooks of Physics for high school students. His research interests are in high temperature synthesis of materials and their applications. After his Ph.D. he has been working at Physics department as an instructor and postdoctoral fellow.