Optimizing parameters of graphene derivatives synthesis by modified improved Hummers

Abstract

Owing to their remarkable chemical, electrical, and mechanical properties graphene and its derivatives, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and graphene oxide (GO) have been attracting increasing interest in nanoscience and nanotechnology. In order to be successful in the scientific, commercial, and clinical fields for graphene and its derivatives, it is very important to control the content of this material in the production, aggregation state (single or multi layers) and to optimize the parameters of synthesis. The major factor that determines the properties of rGO is the content of GO and the agents used in reduction processes. Different Hummers methods are used for the synthesis of GO nanoparticles. The most important difference that distinguishes the improved Hummers method from others is sodium nitrate (NaNO3). The common features of all the studies, in which the synthesis of GO is accomplished with the green chemistry approach, are lack of elemental analysis results and aggregation states (single vs. few layers) in the characterization part. In this work, it is aimed to obtain graphene derivatives by using modified improved Hummers methods without using NaNO3, excess potassium manganate(VII) (KMnO4), extra acid and reduced by D(+) glucose and L‐ascorbic acid (L‐AA) which is a green reductant.