Effects of Peroxide and Persulfate Oxidizing Agents on the Texture of Graphene Oxide

In this research, the effects of peroxide and persulfate oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), potassium persulfate (K2S2O8), ammonium persulfate ((NH4)2S2O8) and meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (mCPBA) on the texture of graphene oxide (GO) are considered by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and elemental mapping via energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). According to FT-IR results, GO and GO treated by oxidizing agents contain a layer of carbon atoms that decorated by oxygen-containing groups. Based on XRD data, a phase transition from more crystalline graphene oxide to more amorphous state is observed where GO is treated by oxidizing agents. It seems that oxidizing agents can create and enlarge the hole defects in graphene oxide. Significant changes in the morphology of the GO after treatment by oxidizing agents are observed via the FESEM micrographs. The value of the C/O atomic ratio for the GO treated by mCPBA is 1.23. This compound show the higher degree of oxidation than GO and GO treated by other oxidants. The corresponding value for the prepared GO is 1.94.