The effects of reduction conditions on synthesis of graphene by modified hummers and eco-friendly methods

In this work, Graphene (Ge) was synthesized from graphene oxide by modified Hummers' method and reduced directly from graphite by eco-friendly method. Accordingly, for the reduction of graphene oxide to form reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO), the effects of amount of required hydrazine hydrate reductant, ultrasound power, and reduction time were investigated. Subsequently, for the directly reduction of graphite to obtain Ge, the reducing agents as hydrogen peroxide, ammonium peroxydisulphate, and microwave radiation were used. Characterizations of obtained rGO/Ge were performed by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, electrical conductivity, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The successful synthesis of rGO/Ge products was confirmed by Raman spectra with the characteristic bands as D and G. The fine structure of rGO/Ge nanosheets was further confirmed by TEM and AFM images. The eco-friendly method produced Ge almost the same to that synthesized by modified Hummers' method.