Facile synthesis of graphene oxide in a Couette–Taylor flow reactor

A practical approach to bulk-scale graphene-based materials is critically important for their use in the industrial applications. Here, we describe a facile method to prepare graphite oxide (GO) using a Couette–Taylor flow reactor for the oxidation of bulk graphite flakes. We found that the turbulent Couette–Taylor flow in the reactor could be engineered to result in the efficient mixing and mass transfer of graphite and oxidizing agents (KMnO4 and H2SO4), thereby improving the efficiency of graphite into GO. As compared to the standard Hummers’ method, higher fraction of a single- and few-layer graphene oxide (G-O) can be yielded in a dramatically shortened reaction time, by optimizing the processing parameters, we have shown that ∼93% of G-O yield could be achieved within 60 min of reaction time. This method also allowed for the in-situ functionalization of G-O with metal oxide nanoparticles to give a nanoparticle-decorated G-O hybrid material. Our method for facile and large-scale production of graphite oxide may find utility in a range of applications including energy storage, composites and supporting frameworks of catalyst.