Graphene Oxide Chemistry Management via the Use of KMnO/KCrO Oxidizing Agents.

In this paper, we propose a facile approach to the management of graphene oxide (GO) chemistry via its synthesis using KMnO/KCrO oxidizing agents at different ratios. Using Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy, we show that the number of basal-plane and edge-located oxygenic groups can be controllably tuned by altering the KMnO/KCrO ratio. The linear two-fold reduction in the number of the hydroxyls and epoxides with the simultaneous three-fold rise in the content of carbonyls and carboxyls is indicated upon the transition from KMnO to KCrO as a predominant oxidizing agent.