Preparation and Characterization of Graphite Oxide

The preparation of graphite oxide is one of essential steps for graphene by oxidation reduction method. Graphite oxide was acquired from the oxidation of graphite by improved Hummers method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared absorbance spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. It was showed that the graphite interlayer distance of graphite oxide increased for a large amount of oxygen containing functional groups. Shift and broaden of diffraction peaks were observed after oxidation and the original graphite peaks disappeared.