One-step green synthesis of reduced graphene oxide by electrochemical etching of carbon rods and effect of different bias voltages on the quality

Abstract The synthesis of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) involves the reduction of graphene oxide (GO). GO is usually synthesized by Hummer's method that includes extensive use of concentrated acid and specific reaction conditions. To omit this, we developed a greener and safer alternative for rGO synthesis. Electrochemical etching of carbon rods was done in the lemon juice solution. We prepared four different samples to see the effect of different operating voltages on the quality of rGO. Raman analysis and elemental analysis were carried out to investigate the variation in the synthesized rGO samples because of different applied voltages. X-ray diffraction spectra were analyzed by the Debye-Scherrer equation to perceive crystallite size variations and d-spacing. Electron microscopy displayed rGO sheets with folded edges. UV–Visible absorption spectra confirmed the rGO formation and upsurge in the number of layers with an increase in voltage. Comparative studies confirmed the best quality rGO produced at 10 V bias voltage. This process may replace other rGO production techniques for its chemical-free and hassle less synthesis approach with the possibility of further improvements.