Unveiling the reduction process of graphene oxide by ascorbic acid; grafting and reduction sequences for high surface area graphene materials.

Abstract

We synthesized high surface area reduced graphene oxides using L-ascorbic acid as a reducing agent by precisely controlling the interaction between graphene oxide and L-ascorbic acid. Based on the structural characterization, such as textural properties (specific surface area, pore structure), crystallinity, and carbon chemical state, we identified that the temperature and reaction time are critical parameters to control the stacking degree of the final product. Besides, by performing a time course analysis of the reaction, we identified the side products of the reducing agent by LC-MS and verified the reduction mechanism. Following our results, we proposed an optimum condition for producing a high-surface area graphene derivative that can work as an adsorbent in an aqueous solution for organic and inorganic pollutants such as methylene blue, methyl orange, and cadmium.