The solvent-free mechanochemical synthesis of mildly oxidized graphene oxide and its application as a novel conductive surfactant

The preparation of single/few layer graphene or graphene oxide on a large scale is still a challenge. Here, an eco-friendly and uncomplicated approach for the preparation of mildly oxidized graphene oxide (MOGO) has been developed by the solid-state mechanochemical ball-milling of graphite powder in the presence of a solid oxidant potassium peroxymonosulfate (Oxone). XRD, XPS, Raman, AFM and TEM studies revealed that the MOGO was of the size of micrometers and mainly had 3 layers with a high C/O ratio. The as-prepared MOGO showed excellent dispersion in various solvents with high stability. Interestingly, the MOGO can be used as a two-dimensional conductive surfactant to stabilize silver nanoparticles in an aqueous suspension. Therefore, MOGO can be widely used to disperse and stabilize conductive nanoparticles in a fluid medium.