Electrochemical Route to Graphene Oxide Synthesis

Researchers at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea have developed an electrochemical method for synthesizing large-scale graphene oxide with adjustable resistivity. The method involves using KCl solution as an effective electrolyte, which allows for the exfoliation of graphene layers from graphite via an electrostatic force. This process results in hydrophilic graphene oxide sheets that can be easily dispersed in electrolyte solutions and applied to various substrates for device purposes.

Key Takeaways:

• The electrochemical method allows for the synthesis of large-scale graphene oxide with adjustable resistivity.
• The use of KCl solution as an electrolyte enables the exfoliation of graphene layers from graphite via an electrostatic force.
• The resulting graphene oxide sheets are hydrophilic and can be easily dispersed in electrolyte solutions.
• The measured average thicknesses of exfoliated graphene oxide sheets on SiO2 substrates were 1.9 nm for a monolayer, 2.8 nm for a bilayer, and 3.9 nm for a trilayer.
• The measured resistance of exfoliated graphene oxide sheets increases due to electrochemical oxidation in the solution.
• This electrochemical approach offers a low-cost and efficient route to fabricating graphene-based devices.
• The method has potential applications in device fabrication and can be used on any substrate.

Statistics:

• Average thickness of exfoliated graphene oxide sheets: 1.9, 2.8, and 3.9 nm for monolayer, bilayer, and trilayer, respectively.
• Increase in measured resistance of exfoliated graphene oxide sheets due to electrochemical oxidation: unknown (no specific data provided).

Sources:

• You, X., et al. "An Electrochemical Route to Graphene Oxide." Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 2011; 11: 5965-5968.