Graphene oxide (GO) is widely recognized as a promising material in a variety of fields, but its structure and composition has yet to be fully controlled. We have developed general strategies to control the oxidation degree of graphene-like materials via two methods: oxidation of graphite by KMnO₄in H₂SO₄(oGO) and reduction of highly oxidized GO by hydrazine (rGO). Even though the oxygen content may be the same, oGO and rGO have different properties, for example the adsorption ability, oxidation ability and electron conductivity. These differences in property arise from the difference in the underlying graphitic structure and the type of defect present. Our results can be used as a guideline for the production of tailor-made graphitic carbons. As an example, we show that rGO with 23.1 wt% oxygen showed the best performance as an electrode of an electric double-layer capacitor.

So-called Z-scheme systems permit overall water splitting using narrow-bandgap photocatalysts. To boost the performance of such systems, it is necessary to enhance the intrinsic activities of the hydrogen evolution photocatalyst and oxygen evolution photocatalyst, promote electron transfer from the oxygen evolution photocatalyst to the hydrogen evolution photocatalyst, and suppress back reactions. The present work develop a high-performance oxysulfide photocatalyst, Sm₂Ti₂O₅S₂, as an hydrogen evolution photocatalyst for use in a Z-scheme overall water splitting system in combination with BiVO₄ as the oxygen evolution photocatalyst and reduced graphene oxide as the solid-state electron mediator. After surface modifications of the photocatalysts to promote charge separation and redox reactions, this system is able to split water into hydrogen and oxygen for more than 100 hours with a solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion efficiency of 0.22%. In contrast to many existing photocatalytic systems, the water splitting activity of the present system is only minimally reduced by increasing the background pressure to 90 kPa. These results suggest characteristics suitable for applications under practical operating conditions.

Pd nanoparticles supported on single layer graphene oxide (Pd-slGO) were prepared by gentle heating of palladium( ii ) acetate (Pd(OAc) ₂ ) and GO in ethanol that served as a mild reductant of the Pd precursor.

The mass production of graphene oxide (GO) has garnered significant attention in recent years due to its potential applications in various fields, from materials science to biomedicine. Graphene, known for its unique properties, such as high conductivity and mechanical strength, has been extensively studied. However, traditional production methods such as the exfoliation of graphite with scotch tape are not suitable for large-scale production. This has led to an increased focus on GO as a viable alternative to graphene production. Nonetheless, challenges, including the optimization of oxidation processes, the control of structural uniformity, and the reproducibility of production, have not been solved so far. This review critically examines GO production advancements by analyzing experimental and mechanistic studies to identify significant developments that enable high-yield and reproducible methods suitable for industrial-scale production. Special attention is given to oxidation techniques and postsynthesis purification and storage, with a focus on controlled oxidation to achieve homogeneous and single-layer GO. Through this lens, the review outlines the path forward for the industrialization of GO, aiming to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial production.

This is a tutorial review based on the laboratory experience on the synthesis of graphene oxide using chemical and electrochemical methods.