Exfoliation of Graphene Oxide via Chemical Reduction Method

Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) is a potential material for new era nano devices due to its novel property and morphology. The numerous synthesis methods for this material have been explored by various researchers. The chemical method named modified hummer method used to oxidate the graphite to form graphene oxide (GO). Afterward, it is exfoliated and reduced to form reduced graphene oxide is the most relevant method. Hence, in the present paper, Reduced Graphene oxide (RGO) has been obtained by this method. In this paper, Sodium borohydride (NaBH4) is used as a reducing agent in chemical reduction of exfoliated GO. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) peaks are observed at 25.5° with interspacing distance 4.038 Ao and at 26.2° with an interspacing distance of 1.657 Ao, for the GO and RGO respectively. The scanning electron microscopy images GO and RGO predicts multi-layers morphology. The view of RGO reveals the exfoliated multi-layer confirms the appearance of transparent wrinkles and due to the reduction of the oxygen-containing functional group. The Raman spectroscopy of graphene oxide displays strong G and D peak at 1592 cm−1 and 1358 cm−1 respectively which attributes to local defects and disorders. Whereas for RGO has been shifted back to 1585 cm−1 and 1340 cm−1 for G and D peak respectively. There is a rise in intensities ratio from 0.770 – 0.902 associated with decreased in average size of sp2 domains. So, RGO is considered as a smart material for different nano electronics applications like sensors, solar cells, optoelectronics devices, energy storage capacitors, lithium-ion batteries etc.