Electrochemical exfoliation and characterizations of low-defect, large-scale thermally reduced graphene oxide via pencil core

Abstract

The most difficult aspect in electrochemical synthesis of graphene oxide (GO) is preventing graphite from disintegrating on the surface of the anode, which affects microstructural characteristics and yield. In this study, the effect of applied potential, electrolytic temperature, and types of electrolytic solution on yield, anode surface disintegration and microstructural properties of electrochemically synthesized GO has been investigated. The GO has been synthesized in an aqueous solution of 1 M piranha solution and sulfuric acid ([Formula: see text]) via electrochemical method by applying 24 V DC power source. After that, the GO was thermally reduced at around 650[Formula: see text]C in a muffle furnace, and cooled down inside the muffle furnace. The yield, pH of the electrolytic solution, and anode surface disintegration all looked to be affected by the applied voltage and electrolyte temperature. Between the temperatures of 50[Formula: see text]C and 70[Formula: see text]C, the maximum yield was observed. During UV–Vis and XRD investigation, the absorbance, crystal structure, and interplanar distance appear to be unaffected by the reduction temperature, high voltage, electrolyte temperature and hydrogen peroxide addition. As demonstrated by Raman spectra, TEM, FE-SEM, AFM, and TGA analysis, high voltage, electrolyte temperature, and hydrogen peroxide addition have an important effect on the degree of defect, microstructure, and oxygen percentage, surface roughness and thermal stability of thermally reduced graphene oxide (TRGO).