F-diamane synthesis through ball-milling exfoliation of fluorinated expandable graphite

Diamane, a two-dimensional diamond-like nanomaterial, has gained significant attention due to its outstanding physicochemical properties and potential applications in nanoelectronics, optics, energy devices, and quantum technologies. Here, we report a rapid, scalable method to produce fluorinated diamane (F-diamane) nanosheets via mechanical grinding in liquid media, using pre-exfoliated graphite fluoride enriched in (C 2 F)n to enhance yield. Comprehensive characterization confirms the formation of F-diamane-type materials. DFT calculations reveal that its superior mechanical strength and rigidity compared to fluorographene, combined with the higher stiffness of (C 2 F)n and the easier exfoliation of (CF)n, drive phase enrichment during processing, ultimately increasing the F-diamane content in the dispersions. The photoluminescence properties with a maximum emission when the excitation wavelength is 325 nm. Moreover, the band gap of F-diamane-type layers is found at 3.84 eV.