A method for the catalytic reduction of graphene oxide at temperatures below 150 °C

Anhydrous AlCl3 was used to increase the reducing ability of sodium borohydride (NaBH4) for removing oxygen functional groups on graphene oxide (GO) at a reaction temperature below 150 °C, which provided an extendable, mild, and controllable route for large-scale production of graphene. The influences of reducing temperature and reducing time on the electrical conductivity of reduced GO were examined. Structural evolution during the reduction of GO was studied by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and elemental analysis.