Manufacturing, characterization and industrial application of new generation carbon-based nanomaterials

Carbon-based nanomaterials attract attention with their features such as large surface area and high conductivity in energy storage and conversion systems. Their environmental friendliness and cost advantages enable these materials to be seen as alternatives to fossil fuels. In this study, low-layer graphene (LLG) and Pt nanoparticles were synthesized as carbon-based nanomaterials using Modified Hummers, Arc-Discharge (Arc-Dis) and sodium percarbonate (SPC) methods. As a result of XRD analysis, the particle size of the produced LLG was calculated as approximately 31.74 nm according to the Debye Schererr formula, and its 7–8 layer structure was confirmed in Raman analysis. This resulting graphene was directly used in the production of Pt nanoparticles for methanol fuel cells (DMFC). For DMFCs, Pt@LLG and Pt catalysts enabled current values of 57.73 and 21.45 mA/cm², respectively, in methanol oxidation. Additionally, a composite structure (PtPANI@Graphene) was designed using graphene produced by the Arc-Dis method, polyaniline (PANI) and Pt nanoparticles. Current values of 72.55, 41.7 and 42.38 mA/cm² were obtained in methanol, ethanol and ethylene glycol oxidation with PtPANI@Graphene catalyst, respectively. The results revealed that the obtained nanomaterials are an effective and promising anode catalyst for direct alcohol fuel cells. When the costs of the materials produced are evaluated, it can be said that they have a significant economic advantage. For instance, the production cost of graphene produced with SPC is expected to be approximately 6 ₺ and the sales price is expected to be approximately 4000-5000 ₺.