Structural configurations and Raman spectra of carbon nanoscrolls

Three types of carbon nanoscroll (CNS) structures that are formed when scrolling up graphene sheets are investigated using Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The CNSs were produced from exfoliated monolayer graphene deposited on a Si chip by applying a droplet of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solution. The three types of CNS are classified as single-elliptical-core, double-elliptical-core (both with large internal volumes) and collapsed ribbon-like, based on AFM surface profile measurements. We discuss the structure and formation of CNS with much larger hollow cores than is commonly assumed and relate this to the large effective 2D bending stiffness of graphene in the IPA solution. The large elliptical core structures show Raman spectra similar to those previously reported for CNS and indicate little interaction between the scrolled layers. The Raman spectra from ribbon-like structures show additional features that are similar to that of folded graphene. These new features can be related to layer breathing modes combined with some resonance enhancement at specific regions of the ribbon-like CNSs that are due to specific twist angles produced when the structure folds/collapses.