Graphite oxide as a precursor for the synthesis of disordered graphenes using the aerosol-through-plasma method

The synthesis and characterization of graphene-like materials, prepared by plasma processing of graphite oxide is described. The thermal exfoliation and reduction of graphite oxide was obtained by passing an aerosol of coarsely ground graphite oxide with no solvent through a low-power (900 W) microwave generated plasma, with argon as the carrier and plasma gas. The reduced material obtained by this aerosol-through-plasma method was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Raman, X-ray photoelectron and solid state 13C NMR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermo-gravimetric and elemental analysis and surface area analysis methods. These materials consist of single to few-layers of graphene and displays high disorder, large surface areas (∼640 m2/g) and low (<4%) oxygen content.