Dispersion behavior of graphene oxide in organic solvents (alcohols)

Graphene is considered unique material promising for a range of new practical application for electronic, mechanical and electrochemical. In this work, the graphene oxide (GO) was prepared by modified Hummer’s method. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images demonstrate ultrathin and the successful GO sheet exfoliated from graphite containing ordered stacking graphene layers. The dispersion behavior of graphene oxide (GO) has been investigated in a wide range of organic solvent. Here in this report, the dispersion of GO has been investigated in three different solvents namely Water, Methanol and Ethanol. The method used for dispersion is ultra-sonication. The effect of sonication time on dispersion behavior was also investigated. GO dispersion in water at 2hr sonication had formed homogeneous and sustainable dispersions compare to the other two solvent, methanol and ethanol. Estimation of the capability of the solvent to disperse the GO used UV-vis adsorption spectroscopy and the spectra are plotted in the wavelength range from 200 to 1000 nm. A stable dispersion remained only in water after 1 week. GO dispersion in methanol and ethanol settled after few times of sonication.