Structural Characteristics of Graphene Oxide Films Produced from an Intercalated Graphite Compound

A strategy is proposed for the synthesis of graphene oxide from an intercalated graphite compound. The intercalated graphite compound is based on stage III graphite nitrate, which is graphite with nitrogen compounds introduced between its planes. The modified Hummers method is used for oxidation of the intercalated graphite compound. The initial material and the products are characterized in detail by physicochemical methods: scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and high-temperature catalytic oxidation. As oxidation of the intercalated graphite compound continues, the defect content of the initial carbon framework increases, on account of decrease in size of the crystallites. Raman spectroscopy indicates that the initial intercalated graphite compound is a graphite structure with few defects of the graphene layers. With oxidation of the sample, the disorder of the carbon framework gradually increases. In part, this is due to shrinkage of the graphite-like crystallites, with subsequent reorientation of the graphene layers. After a certain time, the initial structure is modified: we note partial restoration of the graphite-like fragments and simultaneous proliferation of defects.