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Study on Morphological, Optical and Electrical Properties of Graphene Oxide

(GO) and Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO)

Conference Paper in Materials Science Forum · January 2018

DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.917.112

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Materials Science Forum Submitted: 2017-11-02
ISSN: 1662-9752, Vol. 917, pp 112-116 Accepted: 2017-11-09
doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.917.112 Online: 2018-03-27
© 2018 Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland

Study on Morphological, Optical and Electrical Properties of Graphene

Oxide (GO) and Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO)
E.Jaafar1,a, M.Kashif1,b, S.K Sahari1,c, Z. Ngaini2,d
1
Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), 94300 Kota Samarahan,
Sarawak, Malaysia.
2
Faculty of Resources Science & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), 94300 Kota
Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
a
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected],
d
[email protected]

Keywords: Graphene Oxide, Reduced Graphene Oxide, Synthesis, Electrical Properties, Optical
Properties, and Morphological Properties.

Abstract. In this work, graphene oxide (GO) is synthesized via chemical method (improved
method) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) using thermal treatment. The GO and rGO thin films
were coated on a glass substrate by using drop casting method. The GO and rGO thin film were
characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
(FTIR) to make sure the morphological and optical characteristics of the thin film. In addition, the
electrical studies were performed by current-voltage (I-V) characteristic. The rGO thin film displays
higher conductivity in comparison with GO which is 4.12 x 10-5 S/cm, and also affected the
morphological (SEM) and optical properties (FTIR). Morphological and optical data confirms that
rGO losses the oxygen groups compare to GO.

Introduction
Graphene is two dimensional (2D) 100% sp2 hybridized carbon atom, was experimentally
discovered in 2004 [1] and have undergone an explosion of interest [2]. In the production of
graphene, graphene oxide (GO) is the main precursor [3] which consists of a 2D network of sp2 and
sp3 bonded atoms [4]. Restoration of the physical structure of pristine graphene can almost possible
by the reduction of GO [5]. Thus, GO can be reduced by a chemical reagent, thermal reduction and
multistep reduction in order to remove the oxygen containing functional groups [6]. The amount of
residual oxygen functional groups affected the electrical performance of rGO which it depends on
the functional groups that remaining after reduction [6]. The rGO has excellent electrical, thermal
and mechanical properties [6]. It is a very promising material for many applications, such as in the
development of energy-storage capacitors [7], field-effect transistors [8], energy-related materials
[9], sensors [10], biomedical applications [11], paper- like materials and thin films, as a substrates,
as a coating layer, and as transparent conductive films [12].

Experimental Method
A) Preparation of Graphene Oxide Solution
Graphene oxide (GO) was prepared by the oxidation of natural graphite powder using the improved
method. Firstly, 0.75g of graphite powder was added to 4.5g of potassium permanganate (KMnO4).
Then the mixture of sulphuric acid (H2SO4) / phosphoric acid (H3PO4) (90 ml: 10 ml) was slowly
added. The reaction temperature was maintained at 50˚C and stirred for 48h. The colour of the
mixture changed from dark purplish green to light purple. The reaction mixture was cooled to room
temperature and poured into ice. Then 0.75ml of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was added in order to
stop the reaction. It resulted in a colour change in the suspension to dark yellow and a production of
graphene oxide (GO). The washing process was carried out using simple decantation of supernatant
via a centrifugation technique at 6000 rpm for 10 minutes. The suspension was repeatedly washed
with HCL and deionized water, which results in the formation of graphene oxide (GO) and GO

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 Materials Science Forum Vol. 917 113

were dried at 60˚C for 2h. 1.4g of graphene oxide (GO) powder is produced from 0.75g of graphite
powder. Next, 30mg of graphene oxide powder was dispersed in 5ml of distilled water and was
sonicated until no visible particle can be seen.
B) Preparation of graphene oxide thin film
The glass substrates were ultrasonically cleaned in acetone, isopropanol, ethanol and distilled water
for 10 minutes each. Next, the glass substrates were dried using an air blow. Drop casting method
was used for deposition of graphene oxide solution on a glass substrate. The deposited solution was
dried 60˚C for 10 minutes under ambient condition.
C) Preparation of reduced graphene oxide thin film
The as deposited thin film was thermally annealed using furnace at 200˚C for 1hour in order to
achieve reduced graphene oxide.
The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) was recorded from 400 to 4000 cm-1 (with a resolution
of 2 cm-1) by using Shimadzu IRAffinity-1. The morphology and structure of GO and rGO were
investigated through a scanning electron microscope (SEM). SEM characterization was carried out
using TM3030 Hitachi whereas the electrical characterization was carried out by using Keithley
2450 Source meter.

Results and Discussion

A) Morphological Properties
Figure 1 illustrated the SEM images of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO).
Fig. 1(a) reveals the existence of crumple structure for graphene oxide. This is due to the exfoliation
of graphite to become graphene oxide and results in deformation upon the exfoliation and
restacking [13].

a) b)

Fig. 1. SEM images a) Graphene Oxide b) Reduced Graphene Oxide

Fig. 1(b) shows the image of reduced graphene oxide (rGO), the folded and wrinkled structure
has been observed. This folding structure can be found on both surface and the edge of rGO due to
the losses of oxygen functional groups [14]. More folded and wrinkled structure is produced when
the reduction is stronger [15].
D) Optical Properties
The FTIR spectra obtained for prepared graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO)
are shown in Fig. 2(a, b). Graphene oxide in Fig. 2(a) shows a broad peak between 3600cm-1 and
2800cm-1 in the IR spectrum of GO due to the carboxyl O-H stretching mode [16-17]. The
absorption peaks corresponding to O-H stretching (3290cm-1) which is superimposed on the OH
stretching of carboxylic acid, due to the presence of absorbed water molecules and alcohol groups.
Therefore, it can be concluded that the GO sample has strong hydrophilicity which required
properties of GO [16]. The peak located at 1633cm-1 was associated with aromatic C=C bonds. The
presence of the carboxylic and carbonyl functional group in Fig. 2(a) shows the successful
oxidation of graphite [16] and the results are in accordance with Fig. 1(a) which show the graphite
is fully oxidized.
114 Material Science and Engineering Technology VI

Fig. 2. FTIR spectra of a) Graphene Oxide b) Reduced Graphene Oxide

Fig. 2(b) shows the FTIR spectra of reduced graphene oxide (rGO). It was notified that the
intensity hydroxyl group in (rGO) was decreased as compared to graphene oxide (GO). This is due
to the reduction of graphene oxide with high temperature 200˚C and reducing the hydrophilicity
properties of GO. During reduction of graphene oxide, the oxygen will be removed and restore the
property of graphene oxide [5, 6] as seen in Fig. 1(a), 2(b). As can be seen, the intensities of
carbonyl and carboxyl in reduced graphene oxide are decreasing compared than graphene oxide.
This is due to the reduction of the oxygen functional groups in graphene oxide.
E) Electrical Properties
Fig.3 shows the electrical characteristics curves of GO and rGO thin films. It was observed that the
current in reduced graphene oxide is higher as compared to graphene oxide which is 6.32 x 10-4A
and 6.86 x 10-7A, respectively. This is due to the oxygen loses in reduced graphene oxide [6]. The
existence of many oxygen functional groups in graphene oxide (as seen in Fig. 2a) make the
graphene oxide has insulator properties [14]. Table 1 shows the electrical properties of graphene
oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Good electrical conductivity is produced when only
exists a small amount of oxygen functional groups [6]. It can be seen in Table 1 that reduced
graphene oxide (rGO) shows good electrical conductivity compared to graphene oxide (GO).

Fig. 3. I-V Characteristic of a) Graphene Oxide b) Reduced Graphene Oxide

This work shows the improvement in electrical properties as compared to reported literature
[18- 19] and the value of resistance for rGO was 58KΩ.
 Materials Science Forum Vol. 917 115

Table 1. Electrical properties of Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide

Label Length Area Resistance Resistivity Conductivity
[cm] [cm2] [Ω] [Ω.cm] [S/cm]

rGO 1 1.5 15.82x103 23.73x10-3 4.21 x 10-5

GO 1 1.5 14.5x106 21.87x10-6 4.57 x 10-8

Conclusion
Thin films of GO and rGO were successfully coated on glass substrate by using drop casting
method. In addition, rGO thin film also displays good electrical conductivity as compared to GO.
This is due to the presence of more oxygen functional groups that exist in graphene oxide and also
confirmed through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Although the scanning electron
microscopy characterization supports the morphology of GO and rGO.

Acknowledgement
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from Ministry of Education Malaysia
under Fundamental Research Grant Scheme number FRGS/SG06 (02)/1287/2015(04).

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