The effect of gamma-irradiation on few-layered graphene materials

The effect of γ-irradiation on the structure and composition of chemically synthesized few-layered graphene materials was studied. Fully oxidized graphene oxide and graphene nanoribbons, as well as their respective chemically post-reduced forms, were treated under γ-irradiation in an air-sealed environment. Three different irradiation doses of 60, 90 and 150 kGy were applied. Structure and composition of the irradiated materials were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XRD patterns were not affected by γ-irradiation, and small changes were observed in the FTIR and TGA results. However, significant modifications were detected by Raman spectroscopy and XPS, particularly in the Raman G/D band intensity ratios and in the C 1s XPS profiles. Comparatively, the changes in Raman and XPS spectra after γ-irradiation were even greater than those occurring during the chemical reduction of graphene oxides. Our results indicate that the graphene carbon lattice was strongly affected by γ-irradiation, but the materials experienced small variations in their oxygen content.