Preparation of reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) assisted by microwave irradiation and hydrothermal for reduction methods

Graphite is a natural carbon source that can be used for graphene synthesis because of its abundant availability and relatively low cost. In this research, Graphene Oxide (GO) and reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) have been prepared through modified Hummers method that uses microwave irradiation and hydrothermal process as reduction methods. This research can be divided into two main steps, i.e. preparation of GO and preparation of rGO. The preparation of GO was done using modified Hummers method that refers to graphite powder oxidation for five days. Then, preparation of rGO was done using two methods, i.e. microwave irradiation for 8 minutes at 1,000 watts and hydrothermal process for 10 hours at 200°C. The characterization of the samples was observed by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis). XRD pattern of GO sample shows a peak at 2θ = 10.63°, rGO sample from hydrothermal process at 2θ = 25.94°, and rGO sample from microwave irradiation method at 2θ = 25.94° with low intensity and at 2θ = 10.63° that indicates the presence of GO. IR spectroscopy data shows an absorption peak of aromatic C=C at 1,573 cm-1 that indicates rGO formation. SEM images of GO illustrates a structure of stacked flakes. While the morphology of rGO has a structure of stacked flakes that is more transparent than GO. According to UV-Vis spectroscopy, GO and rGO of samples show absorption peak at λmax = 225 nm and λmax = 274 nm, respectively, which indicates π→π* transition of aromatic C=C bond. Based on the results of this study, the preparation of rGO using modified Hummers that combined with hydrothermal reduction method is more effective than microwave irradiation reduction method.