Graphene sheets that are now routinely obtained by the exfoliation/reduction of graphite oxide exhibit Raman spectra unlike traditional graphene systems. The general attributes of the Raman spectra of these ‘wrinkled graphene’ are first reaffirmed by evaluating the spectra of samples prepared by seven different exfoliation-reduction methods. These graphene sheets exhibit highly broadened D and G Raman bands and in addition, have a modulated bump in place of the conventional 2D (G′) band. It is shown that the high wavenumber ‘bump’ can be resolved into the conventional 2D band and several defect activated peaks such as G*, D+D′ and 2D′. The broad G band could also be deconvoluted into the actual G band and the D′ band, thereby attributing the broadening in the G band to the presence of this defect activated band. Two additional modes, named as D* at 1190 cm-1 and D** at ∼1500 cm-1 could be identified. These peculiar features in the Raman spectrum of ‘graphene’ are attributed to the highly disordered and wrinkled (defective) morphology of the sheets. The affect of defects are further augmented due to the finite crystallite size of these graphene sheets. The dispersion in the band positions and peak intensities with respect to the laser energy are also demonstrated.

Graphene nanoplatelets have been synthesized by thermal exfoliation of graphitic oxide and nitrogen doped graphene nanoplatelets have been obtained by nitrogen plasma treatment. Graphene nanoplatelets and nitrogen doped graphene nanoplatelets have been used as a catalyst support for platinum nanoparticles for oxygen reduction reactions in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Platinum nanoparticles were dispersed over these support materials using the conventional chemical reduction technique. The morphology and structure of the graphene based powder samples were studied using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A full cell was constructed with platinum loaded nitrogen doped graphene nanoplatelets and the results have been compared with platinum loaded graphene nanoplatelets. A maximum power density of 440 and 390 mW cm⁻² has been obtained with platinum loaded nitrogen doped graphene and platinum loaded graphene nanoplatelets as ORR catalysts respectively. Nitrogen plasma treatment created pyrrolic nitrogen defects, which act as good anchoring sites for the deposition of platinum nanoparticles. The improved performance of fuel cells with N-G as catalyst supports can be attributed to the increased electrical conductivity and improved carbon–catalyst binding.

Herein, we report the fabrication of hydrogen gas sensors based on noble nanometal decorated one dimensional multi walled carbon nanotubes and two dimensional graphene by a simple drop casting technique, with practical applications in view. Pt decorated functionalized graphene sheets (Pt/f-G) and Pt decorated functionalized multi walled carbon nanotubes (Pt/f-MWNT) were synthesized and employed as hydrogen sensors. Systematic investigation of hydrogen sensing, at a low detection level of 4 vol% hydrogen in air, of (Pt/f-G) reveals a response time comparable to that of (Pt/f-MWNT) but with a two fold increase in the sensitivity at room temperature. These sensors were also found to be stable over repeated cycles of hydrogenation and dehydrogenation.