Conductive methyl blue-functionalized reduced graphene oxide with excellent stability and solubility in water

π stacking and water-solubility of methyl blue (MB) are expected to facilitate the hydrazine mediated reduction of graphene oxide (GO) in aqueous environment. Our newly obtained MB-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (MB-rGO) exhibited excellent solubility and stability in water. The results showed that the MB molecules stacked non-covalently onto the basal plane of rGO while the sulfo groups of MB prevented the rGO from aggregation. In addition, the better electrical conductivity of MB-rGO than that of GO was analyzed. This novel conductive MB-rGO should have promising applications in diverse nanotechnological areas, such as electronic and optoelectronic devices, photovoltaics, sensors, and microfabrication.

MB-rGO was synthesized by making use of π stacking and water-solubility of MB to assist the hydrazine mediated reduction of graphene oxide (GO) in aqueous solution. The resulting MB-rGO shows excellent solubility and stability in aqueous solution, and the electrical conductivity of MB-rGO is almost two orders of magnitude larger than that of GO.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Methyl blue (MB) stacks onto the plane of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) by strong π–π interactions.
► Sulfo groups of MB prevent rGO from aggregating by electrostatic and steric repulsions.
► MB-functionalized rGO (MB-rGO) shows excellent solubility and stability in aqueous solution.
► Electrical conductivity of MB-rGO is almost two orders of magnitude larger than that of GO.