Nanoscale insights into graphene oxide reduction by tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

Graphene oxide (GO) has attracted substantial interest for its tunable properties and as a possible intermediate for the bulk manufacture of graphene. GO and its reduced derivatives display electronic and optical properties that depend strongly on their chemical structure, and with proper functionalization, GO can have a desirable bandgap for semiconductor applications. However, its chemical activity leads to a series of unclear chemical changes under ambient conditions, resulting in changes in color and solubility upon exposure to light.