A fluid dynamics route for producing graphene and its analogues

A novel fluid dynamics route for scalable and efficient production of graphene and its analogues is demonstrated. Atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analyses strongly suggest that the bulk layered materials (graphite, BN, MoS 2 , and WS 2 ) are efficiently exfoliated into individual layers containing mono- and few-layer nanosheets. Computational fluid dynamics analysis indicates that multiple fluid dynamics events are responsible for efficient exfoliation. Cavitation and pressure release can generate normal force for exfoliation. The velocity gradient-induced viscous shear stress, the turbulence-induced Reynolds shear stress, and shear effects stemmed from turbulence and flow channel-induced collisions can generate lateral force for exfoliation, resulting in theses bulk layered materials self-exfoliation down to single or few layers through their intrinsically lateral self-lubricating ability.