Efficient synthesis of graphene oxide by Hummers method assisted with an electric field

• Published in: Materials research express Vol. 6; no. 5; pp. 55602 - 55608
• Main Authors: Guo, Chang, Cai, Yiting, Zhao, Hui, Wang, Derong, Hou, Yuanjie, Lv, Jian, Qu, Hao, Dai, Dongfang, Cai, Xiaoming, Lu, Jianchen, Cai, Jinming
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: IOP Publishing 13.02.2019
• Subjects: electric field; graphene; graphene oxide; Hummers method
• ISSN: 2053-1591; 2053-1591
• DOI: 10.1088/2053-1591/ab023d

An electric field-assisted Hummers method for the synthesis of graphene oxide (GO) is reported which can enhance the efficiency of oxidation processes, while decreasing destructive effects on the resultant graphite lattice. The electric field varies from 0 ∼ 167 V cm−1 was applied outside the reaction system and operated on three temperature stages of Hummers method which use a low dose of oxidizer. The as-prepared GO nanoplate has a layer spacing of 1 nm. This improved method may be important for preparing high-quality GO with low cost and light pollution. Furthermore, it is a promising improvement to the efficiency of reduction processes and optimization of the structure of GO or reduced graphene oxide (rGO), allowing them to be applied to various graphene-based functional materials.