What is the Difference Between Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide?

Graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) are valuable graphene derivatives with distinct chemical and structural properties. The main differences between them include:

1. Electrical conductivity: GO contains various functional groups that reduce its conductivity compared to rGO. In rGO, the percentage of oxygen-containing functional groups is reduced, and the percentage of SP² carbon atoms increases, resulting in higher conductivity.
2. Hydrophilic behavior: GO shows high dispersibility in aqueous media, while rGO exhibits significantly lower dispersibility.
3. Optical transparency: GO displays optical transparency due to its oxidized components, while rGO does not have the same level of transparency.
4. Mechanical strength: Although rGO retains some of graphene's superior mechanical strength, it is not as strong as pristine graphene.
5. Preparation: GO is typically obtained by treating graphite with strong oxidizers, while rGO is prepared by reducing GO using chemical, thermal, or photo-thermal reduction methods.

Despite these differences, rGO is still considered an interesting material with numerous applications due to its controllable functionality, high electric and thermal conductance, and the availability of the initial material at a lower cost and scalable preparation process. Both GO and rGO are used in applications such as energy storage, sensors, supercapacitors, solar cells, and conductive inks.

Comparative Table: Graphene Oxide vs Reduced Graphene Oxide

Here is a table comparing the key differences between graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide:

Graphene oxide is an oxidized form of graphene and consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. It is used to produce graphene sheets in an effective and inexpensive way. Reduced graphene oxide, on the other hand, is the reduced form of graphene oxide, without oxygen-containing functional groups. This reduction process is crucial as it significantly impacts the material's properties. The two materials have different properties and are used for various applications, including energy storage, sensors, supercapacitors, solar cells, and more.