RGOs

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is a material derived from graphene oxide (GO) through a reduction process. Graphene oxide is a form of graphene that has been oxidized, introducing oxygen-containing functional groups onto its carbon lattice. This oxidation process makes GO more dispersible in water and other polar solvents compared to pristine graphene, but it also disrupts the electronic properties.

The reduction of GO aims to remove or reduce the density of these oxygen functional groups, thereby restoring some of the electrical conductivity and other properties of graphene. Various reduction methods exist, including chemical reduction using reducing agents like hydrazine, ascorbic acid, or sodium borohydride, as well as thermal reduction, electrochemical reduction, and photocatalytic reduction. The effectiveness of the reduction process directly influences the quality and properties of the resulting rGO.

rGO retains some of the desirable characteristics of graphene, such as a large surface area and good mechanical strength, while being more cost-effective and easier to process than pristine graphene. However, the reduction process is rarely complete, meaning that rGO typically contains residual oxygen functional groups and structural defects, which can affect its conductivity and other properties compared to ideal graphene.

Due to its unique combination of properties and processability, rGO has found applications in various fields, including energy storage (batteries and supercapacitors), composite materials, sensors, conductive inks, and biomedical applications. The specific properties and performance of rGO can be tuned by controlling the degree of reduction and the type of functional groups remaining.