Rolling up a Graphene Sheet

Carbon Nanotubes, CNTs, have been described as rolled-up graphene layers. Matching this concept to experiments has been a great experimental challenge for it requires a method to exfoliate graphite, generate ordered and stable dangling carbon bonds, and roll up the layer without affecting the un-paired electrons of the dangling bonds that finally have to zip up in an orderly fashion: A tall order for any synthetic strategy. The combined use of ultrasonication of graphite in dimethylformamide and addition of ferrocene aldehyde just does it!