Microwave-Assisted Reduction of Graphene Oxide to Reduced Graphene Oxide

Jessica T. Mhlongo; Boitumelo Tlhaole; Linda Z. Linganiso; Tshwafo E. Motaung; Ella C. Linganiso-Dziike

doi:10.3390/pr13010216

journal article Open Access Jan 14, 2025

Microwave-Assisted Reduction of Graphene Oxide to Reduced Graphene Oxide

Jessica T. Mhlongo Boitumelo Tlhaole Linda Z. Linganiso Tshwafo E. Motaung Ella C. Linganiso-Dziike

Processes Vol. 13 No. 1 pp. 216 · MDPI AG

View at Publisher Save 10.3390/pr13010216

Abstract

Green chemistry seeks to find alternative synthesis routes that are less harsh to living organisms and the environment. In this communication, a microwave-assisted hydrothermal technique and a thermal annealing method were used in the reduction of graphene oxide (GO) to make reduced GO (rGO). Graphite powder was oxidised using the Improved Hummers’ method, exfoliated, and freeze-dried. Thereafter, an aqueous suspension of GO was reduced under microwave (MW) irradiation for 10 min at 600 W with and without the help of a reducing agent (hydrazine hydrate). Thermal annealing reduction was also conducted under a nitrogen atmosphere at 300 °C for 1 h. Prepared samples were analysed using Raman laser spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A successful reduction in the GO functional groups between the sheets was established using XRD. In the Raman analysis, the ratio of the intensity of the D and G band (ID/IG) in graphene sheets assisted in assessing the quality of the graphene films. An estimation of the number of structural defects was calculated using the ID/IG ratio. The Raman analysis showed an increase in the ID/IG ratio after both oxidation and reduction processes. The defect densities of both MW-treated samples were comparable while an increased defect density was evident in the thermally annealed sample. TEM micrographs confirmed the sheet-like morphology of the samples. The rGO sheets obtained from the MW-treated method appeared to be smaller when compared to the rGO ones obtained by thermal treatment. It was also evident from XRD analysis that thermal treatment promoted the coalition of graphitic layers, such that the estimated number of layers was larger than that of GO. The elemental analysis showed that the C/O ratio of GO increased from 2 to 7.8 after MW hydrazine reduction.

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Details

Published: Jan 14, 2025
Vol/Issue: 13(1)
Pages: 216
License: View

Authors

J

Jessica T. Mhlongo

Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa

B

Boitumelo Tlhaole

Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa

L

Linda Z. Linganiso

Institute for Catalysis & Energy Solutions (ICES), Florida Campus, University of South Africa, Johannesburg 1709, South Africa

T

Tshwafo E. Motaung

Department of Chemistry, Sefako Makgatho Health Science University, P.O. Box 94, Medunsa, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria 0204, South Africa

E

Ella C. Linganiso-Dziike

Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa; Department of Chemistry, Sefako Makgatho Health Science University, P.O. Box 94, Medunsa, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria 0204, South Africa; Microscopy and Microanalysis Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa

Funding

National Research Foundation of South Africa Award: 114232

University of the Witwatersrand Award: 114232

WITS Chancellor’s Female Academic Leaders Fellowship Award: 114232

Cite This Article

Jessica T. Mhlongo, Boitumelo Tlhaole, Linda Z. Linganiso, et al. (2025). Microwave-Assisted Reduction of Graphene Oxide to Reduced Graphene Oxide. Processes, 13(1), 216. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13010216

Microwave-Assisted Reduction of Graphene Oxide to Reduced Graphene Oxide

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