Graphene Oxide (GO) is an oxidised form of graphene, typically produced by treating graphite with strong oxidising agents (e.g., using the Hummers method). It contains various oxygen-containing functional groups and has unique properties that make it useful for diverse applications like sensors, membranes, and composites.
PROPERTIES of graphene oxide
Layered structure: GO is composed of single or few-layer graphene sheets decorated with oxygen-containing groups.
Interlayer spacing: Larger than that of graphene due to the presence of oxygen groups and intercalated water molecules. |
Hydrophilic: Disperses well in water and other polar solvents due to oxygen groups.
Large surface area: Offers high surface-to-volume ratio, useful for adsorption and catalysis. Barrier properties: Acts as an effective barrier in films due to tight stacking of layers. |
Oxygen functional groups: OH, –COOH, epoxy, and carbonyl groups on the basal plane and edges.
High chemical reactivity: Hydrophilic, chemically active, and easily dispersible in water and polar solvents. Functionalization: Can be chemically modified or reduced to tailor its properties. |
Strong and stable: High young modulus and intrinsic strength, high strength to weight ratio, zero effective mass impermeable to gases high mobility of charge carriers
Flexible and thin: GO films are flexible and can be layered into membranes or composites. |