Evolution of Graphene Oxide : A Survey

Abstract

Graphene, first isolated in 2004, is the 2D material that captivated researchers’ attention due to its extraordinary properties. These extraordinary properties motivated researchers to keep on searching better ways for synthesis of Graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Several synthesis(oxidation-reduction) mechanisms are available in literature such as: Staudenmaier’s(ST), Hofmann’s (HO), Hummers’ (HU), Modified Hummer’s (MHU), improved Hummers’(IHU) and Mild Oxidation(MO) methods for oxidation and thermal, chemical, hydrothermal and many more methods for reduction. Still meagerness of comparative studies in tailoring methodologies of these materials persists. This paper is an effort to discuss the pros and cons of above mentioned oxidation-reduction strategies. The comparative study revealed the mild oxidation – chemical reduction as an agile route with better conductivity, zero toxicity and faster non defective mechanism. The study also showed dependendency of the structural rearrangement in rGOs on the reduction step  as well on the synthesis approach employed for the initial graphite oxidation.