Characterization of graphene oxide synthesized through a modified Hummers method

Graphene oxide (GO) has garnered significant interest due to its exceptional and tunable properties, which make it a promising candidate for a wide range of engineering applications, including composite material fabrication and water treatment. In this study, GO was synthesized from graphite flakes using a modified Hummers method involving a reduced amount of sulfuric acid. The resulting material was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). These techniques enabled a clear differentiation between the morphology of the synthesized GO and that of the original graphite. The GO exhibited a substantially altered structure, with increased thickness likely due to the incorporation of oxygen-containing functional groups on its basal plane. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of characteristic functional groups such as hydroxyl, carbonyl, and carboxyl. XPS analysis revealed that the elemental composition of the synthesized GO consisted of approximately 69.7% carbon and 29.9% oxygen, with a trace amount of sulfur attributed to the reagents used in the synthesis. The observed changes in morphology and composition suggest the successful synthesis of GO with potential for functionalization and application in diverse engineering contexts.