Reaction of graphite fluoride with NaOH–KOH eutectic

Graphite fluoride has been generally considered chemically inert against strong alkalis under ambient conditions. In the present study we demonstrate that treatment of graphite fluoride with eutectic NaOH–KOH mixture at 250 °C induces dramatic structural and textural changes in the solid as evidenced by XRD, FT-IR, Raman, UV–vis absorption and fluorescence and microscopy techniques (TEM, AFM). The reaction proceeds in the molten state leading to water-soluble, graphitized carbon particles which unlike graphite fluoride, adopt a variety of morphologies, like platy, tetragonal, triangular, discoid and spherical. The resulting carbon particles are dispersible in water and fluoresce under UV excitation.