title: Fast and fully-scalable synthesis of reduced graphene oxide.
abstract: Exfoliation of graphite is a promising approach for large-scale production of graphene. Oxidation of graphite effectively facilitates the exfoliation process, yet necessitates several lengthy washing and reduction processes to convert the exfoliated graphite oxide (graphene oxide, GO) to reduced graphene oxide (RGO). Although filtration, centrifugation and dialysis have been frequently used in the washing stage, none of them is favorable for large-scale production. Here, we report the synthesis of RGO by sonication-assisted oxidation of graphite in a solution of potassium permanganate and concentrated sulfuric acid followed by reduction with ascorbic acid prior to any washing processes. GO loses its hydrophilicity during the reduction stage which facilitates the washing step and reduces the time required for production of RGO. Furthermore, simultaneous oxidation and exfoliation significantly enhance the yield of few-layer GO. We hope this one-pot and fully-scalable protocol paves the road toward out of lab applications of graphene.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 51666-16471, Iran.
authors.forename: Sina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abdolhosseinzadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 51666-16471, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamed
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Asgharzadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 790-784, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hyoung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Seop Kim