Comparative Elemental Analysis of Commercial Functionalized Graphene Nanoplatelets Along the Production Chain With X‐Ray Photoelectron and Energy‐Dispersive X‐Ray Spectroscopy

ABSTRACT Graphene has been commercialized for over a decade, primarily in the form of suspensions and inks. In this study, we investigate the properties of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and their functionalized derivatives, incorporating fluorine or nitrogen as functional groups (FG). The analysis was conducted on three forms, that is, powders, suspensions, and inks, using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX). The objective of this work is to establish a rapid and comprehensive systematic approach for elemental analysis of commercial functionalized graphene, which can be used for quality control. Functionalization is employed to tailor the material's physical and chemical properties. In our study, graphene samples, functionalized with fluorine or ammonia in a plasma reactor, were investigated. Both XPS and EDX were applicable for all three forms and showed, in general, similar trends between the three forms, so that both XPS and EDX can be used for quality control of GNPs along the production chain.