Synthesis and Characterization of Sulfonated Graphene and Conducting Films: Synthesis and Characterization of Sulfonated Graphene and Conducting Films

Graphite oxide (GO) was prepared from graphite by Hummers liquid oxidation method and the sulfonated graphene (S-GNS) was then prepared by pre-reduction, sulfonation and post-reduction. Glucose was also used to reduce the agglomeration among the graphene layers. The as-prepared sulfonated graphene was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS), Thermogravimetric analysis (TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Atomic force microscope (AFM), respectively. The experimental results indicate that the graphene of the p-phenyl-SO3H groups is successfully grafted into graphite oxide, and graphite oxide is completely reduced to sulfonated graphene. The sulfonated graphene possesses high thermal stability, smooth surface and few defects, and the thickness of single layer graphene is approximately 1.2 nm. Water solubility and dispersion results show that the sulfonated graphene can be dispersed into water with good water solubility. In addition, the BET specific surface area and the electrical conductivity of the sulfonated graphene film are up to 806.4 m2/g and 1150 S/m, respectively.