Apparatus and method for plasma synthesis of graphitic products including graphene

An apparatus for plasma synthesis of graphitic products including graphene, the apparatus comprising:

• a reaction chamber having an exit at a bottom of the reaction chamber;
• a plasma nozzle coupled to the reaction chamber;
• a gas supply for supplying a process gas comprising a carbon-containing species to the plasma nozzle;
• and
• a source of radio frequency radiation for supplying radio frequency radiation to the process gas within the plasma nozzle in use, so as to produce a plasma within the plasma nozzle in use, and thereby cause cracking of the carbon-containing species;
• wherein the plasma nozzle is arranged such that, in use, an afterglow of the plasma extends into the reaction chamber, the cracked carbon-containing species also passes into the reaction chamber, and the cracked carbon-containing species recombines within the afterglow, so as to form graphitic products including graphene;
• and
• wherein the apparatus further comprises a gas filtration system attached above the reaction chamber, for collecting solid graphitic products including graphene from the gas phase, the gas filtration system including a filter arranged such that, in use, solid graphitic products including graphene collected by the filter fall down, through the reaction chamber, for extraction through the exit at the bottom of the reaction chamber.