Dual role of glycine as a chemical functionalizer and a reducing agent in the preparation of graphene: an environmentally friendly method

Here we report a simple, efficient, and environmentally friendly approach towards the reduction of graphite oxide using glycine as both a chemical functionalizer and a reducing agent. The reduction could occur under mild conditions and the as-produced graphene sheets show impressive crystalline behavior and admirable aqueous dispersibility without employing any external stabilizing reagents. Formation of graphene has been confirmed by Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis reveals the successful removal of oxygen moieties upon reduction using glycine. The method is cost-effective and presents an alternative route to produce large-scale, reduced graphite oxide nanosheets.