The effect of degree of reduction on the electrical properties of functionalized graphene sheets

We study the effect of carbon to oxygen ratio (C/O) on the electrical resistance of functionalized graphene sheets prepared by thermal exfoliation and reduction of graphite oxide at various temperatures. Using a 2-probe technique in conjunction with Kelvin probe force microscopy, we observe a transition from high-resistance (>400 kΩ/sq) nonlinear current/voltage characteristics at low C/O to low-resistance (<10 kΩ/sq) linear behavior at high C/O, indicating a transition from hopping to diffusive electron transport. Simultaneously, the metal-graphene contacts change from high-resistance Schottky-type behavior to nearly non-invasive metal-metal contact characteristics.