Synthesis and Characterization of Graphene Oxide Nanosheets by Mechanical Exfoliation Using Ball Milling

Abstract Graphene Oxide Nanosheets (GONs) are synthesized by reduction of graphite powder using mechanical exfoliation through ball milling under wet condition. Pure graphite is subjected to peeling, exfoliation, and fragmentation in the presence of a reducing agent for a duration of 30 hours to achieve few layered GONs. Intermediate samples throughout the duration of ball milling are extracted from the wet slurry to investigate the characteristics of the milling process. The extracted samples are investigated under XRD, FESEM, Raman spectroscopy, BET and FTIR to understand the synthesis process of GONs from pure graphite. The analysis of the ball milled samples through the characterization techniques depicts the formation of GONs with layered morphology. EDS and FTIR confirms the oxidation of graphite to graphene oxide. The successful exfoliation of graphite to GONs through ball milling will help in synthesis of cost-effective GONs for various technological applications.