Comparative study of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) synthesis using methanol extracts of Camellia sinensis: A green approach

Graphene is a material with greats, mechanical and optical properties, attributed to its unique chemical composition and two-dimensional structure. Among the numerous methods available for graphene synthesis, the chemical reduction of Graphene Oxide (GO) to reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) is particularly favored due to its scalability and cost-effectiveness. This study presents a green synthesis approach for producing rGO by reducing GO using methanol-based extracts of Camellia sinensis , specifically in its green, black, red, and white tea variants. The GO was initially synthesized via a modified Hummer's method, providing a reliable precursor for reduction. This eco-friendly method leverages the natural antioxidant properties of tea extracts, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical reducing agents in synthesizing graphene-based materials for advanced technological applications. Graphical abstract