Graphene-Graphene Oxide

What is Graphene ?

Graphene is a two-dimensional honeycomb arrangement of carbon atoms that has led to revolutionary advances in technology. The discovery of graphene is so important that it earned Russian scientists Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics for their discoveries. Almost all the materials we encounter in the universe are three-dimensional. Scientists also know very little about how a material’s properties change when it is in a two-dimensional arrangement. The properties of graphene are also very different from graphite, which is the three-dimensional arrangement of carbon, so graphene studies are very useful in predicting how materials acquire properties in two-dimensional arrangement.

What is Graphene Oxide?

Graphene oxide is considered the oxidized form of graphene. The discovery of graphene oxide predates the discovery of graphene. In 1859, GO was first synthesized by oxidation and exfoliation of graphite. However, until the discovery of graphene, graphene oxide was seen as an insignificant material. After the discovery of graphene, graphene oxide also attracted attention as a viable way to obtain graphene. After this point, studies on graphene oxide gained momentum and were integrated into various applications. GO synthesis is mainly produced by a top-down approach. It is obtained by treating graphite with strong oxidants or sulfuric acid and potassium permanganate followed by mechanical exfoliation methods such as sonication and shear stress. However, it is also possible to obtain GO by bottom-up synthesis methods such as chemical vapor precipitation (CVD). During the production process, the sp2 structure of the graphite layers is disrupted and several different oxygen-containing functional groups such as carboxyl, hydroxyl or epoxy groups are obtained. Oxidation of graphite layers increases the spacing between layers. The next step of exfoliation is done by separating the graphite oxide layers from each other to obtain a solution of homogeneous graphene oxide layers. Different parameters such as initial oxidation conditions, energy supplied, energy source and lateral size of graphite used as starting material have strong effects on the resulting GO structure and oxidation level. Through the manipulation of these parameters, it is possible to make changes to the properties of GO. In particular, the oxidation level strongly influences the chemical variability of GO sheets.

Properties of Graphene

• The graphene world means single-layer, hexagonal carbon atoms. If the graphene is of any other order, this is specifically stated. For example, double-layer graphene or multi-layer graphene are other forms of this material.
• As with diamond and graphite, graphene is an allotrope of carbon. To elaborate further, graphene is composed of sp2 bonded carbon atoms with a molecular bond distance of 0.142 nm between its atoms.
• Three of the most important properties of graphene are that it is 100 to 300 times stronger than steel, it is the best conductor at room temperature known so far, and it is flexible.
• Graphene is the thinnest and lightest material known.
• Graphene is transparent.

Uses of Graphene

• Ultra fast charging of batteries
• Easier cleaning of radioactive waste
• Fast flash memories
• Producing stronger and more balanced instruments and sports equipment (such as tennis rackets)
• Updatable electronic papers based on graphene
• Small and efficient biosensor devices
• Supercapacitors that can replace batteries
• Waterproof clothing
• More robust and lighter aircraft and protection equipment
• To use as an auxiliary material in tissue regeneration
• Converting salt water to potable water
• • Bionic devices that can be connected directly to neurons in the body