An Electrochemical Method for the Production of Graphite Oxide

Abstract

We report on the development of a technique for the rapid production of exfoliated graphite oxide, using an electrochemical oxidation and exfoliation method. Vitreous carbon foam (VCF) sheets were utilised as the anode in an electrolytic cell. VCF anodes were oxidized under a maximum applied electric field of 60V and a current of 2A in NaOH electrolyte solutions. The resulting solids, collected after separation of the electrolyte, were analysed using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The preliminary analysis shows that the solids collected were comprised of graphite oxide and partially reduced graphite oxide platelets. Quartz substrates coated in partially reduced graphite oxide solutions were thermally annealed to produce conductive layers.