Graphene Oxide

Choose the Right Grade

Grade	Best For
Single Layer GO	Thin film research, membranes, biosensors
Few Layer GO (2-4L)	Composites, coatings, energy storage
Reduced GO (rGO)	Conductive films, electrodes, EMI shielding
GO Gel	Wet processing, filtration membranes
Freeze-Dried GO	Maximum solubility, long-term storage

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Storage: Refrigerate at 2–8°C. Shelf life 12 months sealed.

Questions about which grade? Contact our technical team →

The Unique Properties of Graphene Oxide

Graphene oxide stands out owing to its unique properties like high surface area, functionality, and two-dimensional (2D) sheet-like structure. Its highly oxidized carbon atoms form a distinctive honeycomb hexagonal lattice pattern. The flakes range from nanometers to microns wide. Single-layer GO usually has a thickness of 0.7-1.2nm. The commonly available forms of GO include powder, solvent or polymer-dispersed form, or spin-coated film.

Graphene oxide can be easily dispersed in water, polymers, and solvents using ultrasonication or high shear methods. Although GO is electrically insulating, it can be transformed into a conductive substance by reducing it.

Understanding Graphene Oxide’s Physical Properties

GO usually possesses over 40% oxygen groups, including OH, COOH, and Epoxide groups, facilitating dispersion in Di water, NMP, DMF, THF, Ethanol, and other polar solvents. Fully oxidized, graphene oxide is a light brown (tan) solid powder with a C:O ratio between 2.1 and 2.9. Flake size usually ranges from hundreds of nanometers to tens of microns.

Electronic, Optical and Thermal Characteristics

GO conductivity can be improved through reduction. Optical transparency greater than 90% can be achieved with GO films less than 5 layers thick. The thermal conductivity of graphene oxide surpasses that of bulk graphite with similar interlayer spacing.

Graphene Oxide History

Initially known as graphite oxide, the story of graphene oxide spans over 150 years. Oxford chemist Benjamin Brodie first produced it in 1859. The safer Hummers method (1957) incorporated sulfuric acid, sodium nitrate, and potassium permanganate. Modern modifications such as the Tour method prioritize environmental and safety precautions.

Synthesis Method

A modified Hummer’s method is used to make GO from graphite by treating it with strong oxidizers such as potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide, and sulphuric acid. This process exfoliates graphite into single or few-layer sheets and adds oxygen functional groups, making GO hydrophilic and water soluble.

Our GO is rinsed and centrifuged until the rinse water filtrate is pH neutral, then freeze dried to preserve solubility. Our GO is highly purified and flammability is not a concern.

Graphene Oxide Applications

Graphene oxide applications include catalysis, drug delivery, solar cells, batteries, tissue scaffolding, water desalination and many other areas. Its high solubility and ability to be reduced enables solution processing. GO overcomes the well-known dispersion problems associated with carbon nanotubes.

Electronic Applications

Field effect transistors, chemical sensors, and biosensors have been fabricated using RGO. Transparent electrodes are important for LEDs, OLEDs, and solar cell devices.

Energy Storage Applications

RGO nanocomposites are used for high-capacity energy storage in lithium ion batteries and as electrode material in supercapacitors.

Biomedical Applications

GO’s biocompatibility enables drug delivery applications. Unlike CNTs, GO preparation avoids metal catalysts and metal impurities. Functional groups allow interaction with a wide range of organic and inorganic molecules.

Structure

The 2D structure of graphene oxide features functional groups that give GO its legendary solubility. Surfactants are not needed when dispersing into polar solvents such as Di Water, NMP, DMF, THF, DCB, Ethanol, polymers, or others.

Molecular Weight

Graphene oxide chemical formula and molecular weight:

Chemical Formula: C140H42O20
Molecular Weight: 2043.856 g/mol

Reduced Graphene Oxide

Reduced graphene oxide is synthesized as regular GO then reduced, removing surface functionality and restoring the molecular structure closer to pristine graphene. Common reduction methods include chemical (hydrazine), thermal (furnace, microwave), electrochemical, and laser/light-based approaches.

Graphene Oxide Price

Graphene oxide price is determined by production volumes and degree of purification. Most of our products are between $75–200/g. Our products are washed and centrifuged 15 times until filtrate is pH neutral, then freeze dried to preserve solubility. Not all suppliers take these steps. We recommend storing GO in a lab refrigerator; shelf life is approximately 6 months before functionality begins to decrease.

Difference Between Graphene & Graphene Oxide

2D sheets less than 10 layers thick are generally called graphene. The three main types are: CVD/epitaxial graphene films, graphene oxide (exfoliated via strong acid oxidation), and graphene nanoplatelets (plasma or chemically exfoliated).