Graphene Oxide as Mine of Knowledge: Using Graphene Oxide To Teach Undergraduate Students Core Chemistry and Nanotechnology Concepts

Abstract

The aim of this laboratory experiment is to utilize graphene oxide (GO) material to introduce undergraduate students to many well-known concepts of general chemistry. GO is a new nanomaterial that has generated worldwide interest and can be easily produced in every well-equipped undergraduate chemical laboratory. An in-depth examination of GO synthesis, as well as a study of its structure and properties, allows students to familiarize themselves with the concepts of redox reactions, dispersity, and polarity, along with the basic concepts of spectroscopic methods. The inclusion of this carbonaceous nanomaterial within a basic chemistry curriculum can stimulate students’ interest and introduce them to the modern field of nanotechnology. Students are tasked to prepare GO using the well-known improved Hummers’ method. Then they study the dispersion behavior of GO and carry out Fourier transform infrared and UV–vis spectroscopic measurements to characterize the material. The experiments are designed to be acco...