Characterization of High Yield Graphene Oxide Synthesized by Simplified Hummers Method

Graphene oxide (GO) was chemically synthesized from natural flake graphite (NFG) using the simplified Hummers method. The synthesis was carried out using two routes. The first route involved stirring the one pot mixture continuously for three days at ambient temperature while the second route involved stirring another one pot mixture for six days also at ambient temperature. The two GOs were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Raman Spectroscopy and UV-Visible Spectrometry. The FTIR spectra showed introduction of oxygen functionalities in both GO with a higher degree of oxidation in the 6-day synthesized GO while the EDX confirmed the presence of carbon and oxygen in the GOs. The SEM micrograph gave the typical wrinkle and crumpling present in the 3-day synthesized GO while the 6-day synthesized GO showed distortion in structures. The Raman spectra showed a slightly higher ID/IG ratio for the 3-day synthesized GO with the 6-day synthesized GO showing a greater disruption of the sp2 domains. The extended period of stirring and oxidation increased the band gap of the 6-day synthesized GO to 3.0 eV unlike the 3-day synthesized GO where 2.5 eV was observed.