HT Correspondent
DIMAPUR, May 29: A team of researchers at the Nagaland University has developed a novel and environment-friendly method for producing bromographene, a modified form of grapheme, for eco-friendly chemical processes in industrial applications.
The research team was led by Dipak Sinha from the department of chemistry of the Nagaland University, Dinesh Rangappa from the department of applied sciences (nanotechnology) at the Visvesvaraya Technological University and their PhD student Suraj Kumar, Peter Ki, public relation officer of the Nagaland University said.
Kumar is a recipient of the INSPIRE fellowship sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology under the Union ministry of science and technology.
The research team introduced the new method for preparing bromographene and their work has earned them a German utility model IPR.
Their method used a safer brominating agent called tetrabutylammonium tribromide to convert reduced graphene oxide into bromographene. This process was completed in just one hour, the fastest time reported so far, and it avoided the need for harsh conditions, making it much safer and more environment-friendly.
The new approach not only speeds up the production process, but also has one of the highest reported bromine contents, making it useful for further chemical modifications that can lead to new advancements in electronics, composites, and other high-tech materials.
By focusing on creating safer and faster production methods, the researchers from the university made a sustainable innovation in material science, promising a future where high-performance materials can be produced without compromising safety or the environment.
Graphene, a two-dimensional wonder material, gained global fame in 2010 when Sir Andre Geim and Sir Konstantin Novoselov from the University of Manchester were awarded the Nobel Prize for its discovery. It is celebrated for its potential to transform industries such as electronics, drug delivery, touch screens, paints, energy storage and water purification.
The magic of graphene lies in its exceptional strength and outstanding electrical and thermal conductivity. However, its practical use is often hindered by its poor solubility in common solvents. This limitation is overcome by bromographene, a modified form of grapheme that enhances its chemical reactivity and versatility, a statement from the Nagaland University stated.
