Free-Radical-Promoted Conversion of Graphite Oxide into Chemically Modified Graphene

• Published in: Chemistry : a European journal Vol. 19; no. 19; pp. 5948 - 5954
• Main Authors: Chai, Na-Na, Zeng, Jing, Zhou, Kai-Ge, Xie, Yu-Long, Wang, Hang-Xing, Zhang, Hao-Li, Xu, Chen, Zhu, Ji-Xin, Yan, Qing-Yu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 03.05.2013; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Chemical reduction; Chemistry; Conversion; Free radicals; Graphene; Graphite; Lithium; lithium batteries; Oxides; peroxides; Phenyls; radicals; Reagents; Reduction; Strategy
• ISSN: 0947-6539; 1521-3765; 1521-3765
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.201203819

The preparation of chemically modified graphene (CMG) generally involves the reduction of graphite oxide (GO) by using various reducing reagents. Herein, we report a free‐radical‐promoted synthesis of CMG, which does not require any conventional reductant. We demonstrated that the phenyl free radical can efficiently promote the conversion of GO into CMG under mild conditions and produces phenyl‐functionalized CMG. This pseudo‐“reduction” process is attributed to a free‐radical‐mediated elimination of the surface‐attached oxygen‐containing functionalities. This work illustrates a new strategy for preparing CMG that is alternative to the conventional means of chemical reduction. Furthermore, the phenyl‐functionalized graphene shows an excellent performance as an electrode material for lithium‐battery applications. Peroxide does reduction: Phenyl radicals promote the rapid conversion of graphite oxide (GO; see figure) into phenyl‐group‐modified graphene. The chemically modified graphene (CMG) can be used as the anode material for a lithium battery and exhibits high reversible capacities and good cycling stability.