Synthesis and Characterization of Graphene Sheets from Graphite through Electrochemical Exfoliation and Microwave Reduction

Abstract

Graphene as a wonder material has received great attention and importance due to its fascinating properties. Here in this study, we also demonstrate a simple two step process to prepare graphene sheets (GSs) from the electrochemical exfoliated graphene oxide (EE-GO) followed by microwave irradiation reduction. The properties and structure of the resulted product samples were studied by Ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX or EDS), Raman spectroscopy and Atomic force microscopy (AFM) for validation of their distinguishing characteristics. UV spectra of microwave irradiation reduced graphene oxide (MI-RGO) and EE-GO exhibited an intense and sharp absorption peak concentrated at wavelengths of 236 and 266nm, respectively. The elimination of oxygen functionalities present in the EE-GO plane was illustrated by FTIR as a result of microwave irradiation treatment. The relative layer structures of MI-RGO and EE-GO were confirmed by XRD. Similarly, the Raman spectra revealed the difference in between the EE-GO and MI-RGO characteristic reflection bands. The thin, crumpled and curved type morphology of the obtained graphene sheets (GSs) was also displayed by SEM while the composition of a few layer graphene sheets with atomic mass percents of carbon (75%) and oxygen (25%) was established by EDX. The Synthesis procedure is simple, rapid and eco-friendly with high yield.