Fast and Facile Preparation of Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanoplatelets

In this study, we report an inexpensive, massively scalable, fast, and facile method for preparation of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide nanoplatelets. The basic strategy involved the preparation of graphite oxide (GO) from graphite through reaction with benzoyl peroxide (BPO), complete exfoliation of GO into graphene oxide sheets, followed by their in situ reduction to reduced graphene oxide nanoplatelets. The mechanism of graphene oxide producing is mainly the generation of oxygen-containing groups on graphene sheets. In addition, inserted BPO and expansion of CO2 evolved during reaction will expand the distance between graphite layers, which are also main factors for exfoliation. Thermogravimetric…