Radiation induced reduction of graphene oxide: a dose effect study

Abstract

In this paper, we present a novel approach for the preparation of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) through the radiolytical reduction of commercial graphene oxide (GO). The method is highly efficient and environmentally friendly compared to other synthetic routes. We conducted a detailed study on the influence of absorbed doses during the synthesis process. The reduction process for the production of rGO is induced by the radiolysis of water at ambient temperature and pressure, confirmed using several sophisticated techniques. Our results demonstrate the efficiency of the radiolytical process compared to conventional methods of GO reduction. The C/O ratio increased from 3.3 (GO) to 11.2 (rGO), surpassing those of other reduction methods. Additionally, the intensity ratio of D and G bands (ID/IG) increased for rGO due to an increase in order by reduction, implying the restoration of π-conjugation. Furthermore, the thermal stability of GO improved upon irradiation. Electrochemical measurements finally showed that our rGO exhibited a specific capacitance of 229.3 F g−1, indicating its high potential as a candidate for energy storage applications. © 2024 The Royal Society of Chemistry.