Synthesis of Graphene Oxide Nanosheets via Modified Hummers' Method and Its Physicochemical Properties

The efficient synthesis of exfoliated graphene oxide nanosheets (GO) via modified Hummers' method was successfully carried out. The physicochemical properties of GO were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-visible spectrophotometry (UV-vis), x-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The graphite was fully oxidized by strong oxidizing agent caused the oxygen-containing functional groups such as C-O-C, C=O, and COOH were introduced into the graphite layers as analyzed by Raman and FTIR. XRD pattern of GO showed 2 theta of 12.0 degrees with interlayer spacing similar to 7.37A which describe non uniform crystal structure with the addition of oxygen containing functional groups. UV-vis spectrum of GO exhibit maximum absorption peak at similar to 234 nm corresponding to the aromatic C-C bond with pi-pi* transition. The morphology of GO was observed to have flake-like shape and less transparent layers by TEM. The properties of synthesized GO suggest high potential in producing the high quality of graphene which is can be applied as the electrocatalyst support for direct methanol fuel cell application.