Formation of carbon nanoparticles from soluble graphene oxide in an aqueous solution

Graphite oxide was prepared by the Hummers method. Then after further oxidation, a new kind of carbon nanoparticle, with diameter 10–30 nm, was formed in the aqueous solution. On the basis of structural characterization by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy it is deduced that the nanoparticles are generated by the self-assembly of few-layer graphene oxides. A possible formation mechanism is proposed.