Synthesis of graphene oxide-intercalated α-hydroxides by metathesis and their decomposition to graphene/metal oxide composites

Graphene oxide-intercalated α-metal hydroxides were prepared using layers from the delaminated colloidal dispersions of cetyltrimethylammonium-intercalated graphene oxide and dodecylsulfate-intercalated α-hydroxide of nickel/cobalt as precursors. The reaction of the two dispersions leads to de-intercalation of the interlayer ions from both the layered solids and the intercalation of the negatively charged graphene oxide sheets between the positively charged layers of the α-hydroxide. Thermal decomposition of the intercalated solids yields graphene/nanocrystalline metal oxide composites. Electron microscopy analysis of the composites indicates that the nanoparticles are intercalated between graphene layers.