Researchers develop a solvent-free, high-yield route to dispersible, nitrogen-doped graphene nanoplatelets

This addresses known challenges standing before the successful development of processable, high-performance graphene-based materials. Traditional methods for nitrogen doping – such as high-temperature chemical vapor deposition or toxic wet-chemical reduction – often compromise environmental safety or electrical performance. The new mechanochemical route achieves both: high yield (∼80%) and strong electrical conductivity (roughly 30% that of pristine graphite) paired with long-term colloidal stability across diverse solvents.

Researchers from Monash University and the University of Melbourne have developed a solvent-free, one-pot mechanochemical process that produces nitrogen-doped graphene nanoplatelets (N-GNPs) using glycine, a naturally occurring amino acid, as the nitrogen source. This process combines graphite, glycine, and potassium hydroxide in a planetary ball mill, where glycine enables simultaneous exfoliation and nitrogen incorporation at ambient temperature and pressure, requiring no harsh post-treatment.This addresses known challenges standing before the successful development of processable, high-performance graphene-based materials. Traditional methods for nitrogen doping – such as high-temperature chemical vapor deposition or toxic wet-chemical reduction – often compromise environmental safety or electrical performance. The new mechanochemical route achieves both: high yield (∼80%) and strong electrical conductivity (roughly 30% that of pristine graphite) paired with long-term colloidal stability across diverse solvents.

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