Electronic structure of graphite oxide and thermally reduced graphite oxide

Abstract

We present the electronic structure evolution from graphite oxide to thermally reduced graphite oxide. Most functional groups were removed by thermal reduction as indicated by high resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the electrical conductivity increased 6 orders compare with the precursor graphite oxide. X-ray absorption spectroscopy reveals that the thermally reduced graphite oxide shows several absorption peaks similar to those of pristine graphite, which were not observed in graphite oxide or chemically reduced graphite oxide. This indicates the better restoration of graphitic electronic conjugation by thermal reduction. Furthermore, the significant increased intensity of Raman 2D band of thermally reduced graphite oxide compared with graphite oxide also suggests the restoration of graphitic electronic structure (π orbital). These results provide useful information for fundamental understanding of the electronic structure of graphite oxide and thermally reduced graphite oxide.