Separation of graphene oxide and thermally reduced graphene oxide by vertical electrophoresis
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the electrophoretic behavior of TRGO dispersed in Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) using a custom-made vertical electrophoretic set-up, under varying voltages at constant current for 10 hours. The separated upper and bottom layers of TRGO solution were characterized using UV-Vis spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy. The upper layer of the TRGO dispersion after electrophoresis retained their TRGO properties and were able to produce uniform and smooth surface with a well-packed layered structure of graphene nanosheets. The lower layer appeared to be oxidized resulting to the reappearance of graphene oxide. The mechanism of separation and formation are explained.