Simple process and uncomplicated reduction of graphene oxide

Abstract

In this work reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was performed by modified Hummers method and thermal reduction process, modifying the thermal exposure times (2, 4, 6 and 8 h) and maintaining a constant temperature (200 °C). It was possible to observe the morphological and structural variation in all the samples. SEM analysis shows agglomerates with different dimensions (1–10 μm) in all the samples. The XRD analysis displays two characteristic peaks in graphene oxide (GO) samples, associated with (002) and (100) planes, corresponding to 10.57° and 42.20° in the 2-theta scale. The rGO samples show the increase in (002) plane associated with graphite (27° in 2-theta scale), proving the reduction process. FTIR analysis presents all the absorption bands for GO and rGO samples, showing the main functional groups like; hydroxyl, ketone, alkene, epoxy and carboxyl groups. Finally, Raman spectroscopy exhibits the vibrational characteristic modes of graphitic materials corresponding to D, G, and 2D bands, in which it is possible to differentiate between GO and rGO. Currently, the reduction processes use high temperatures, so it is necessary to reduce them with the commitment to obtain rGO of good quality and a considerable energy saving.