Electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide in organic solvents

Graphene oxide (GO) cast on conductive substrates was electrochemically reduced in some organic solvents. The amount of electricity required for the almost complete reduction of GO was 2.0 C for 1 mg GO, corresponding to attaching of a one-electron reducible species to each benzene ring in graphene. The electrochemically reduced GO film gave an electrical conductivity of about 3 S cm−1 and exhibited a relatively high specific capacitance of 147.2 F g−1 in propylene carbonate. The electrochemical reduction of GO was feasible on Al foils as well.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Graphene oxide on substrates was electrochemically reduced in organic solvents. ► The electrochemically reduced film gave an electrical conductivity of 3 S cm−1. ► The film exhibited a high specific capacitance of 147.2 F g−1 in propylene carbonate. ► The electrochemical reduction was also feasible on Al foils.