Formation of Phenol Groups in Hydrated Graphite Oxide

We investigated the reaction of graphite oxide with water molecule in the air with X-ray diffraction, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction data show that the layer distance of graphite oxide increases when it becomes hydrated in the air. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectra reveal that hydrated graphite oxide in the air has phenol groups on its layer edges. The overall results indicate that graphite oxide reacts with water molecules in the air and phenol groups are formed in graphite oxide.