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Updated: Jul 31, 2026
10:23
Synthesis and Functionalization of 3D Nano-graphene Materials: Graphene Aerogels and Graphene Macro Assemblies
Published on: November 5, 2015
Brodie's or Hummers' Method: Oxidation Conditions Determine the Structure of Graphene Oxide
Patrick Feicht1, Johannes Biskupek2, Tatiana E Gorelik2
1Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustraße 3, 14195, Berlin, Germany.
Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|May 1, 2019
Summary
Two methods for graphene oxide synthesis yield similar materials with preserved graphene lattices. Controlling reaction conditions is crucial for consistent results and understanding structure-property relationships in graphene oxide.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemistry
Background:
- Graphite oxide synthesis has a long history, with renewed interest due to graphene's properties.
- Existing preparation protocols often lead to over-oxidized materials, hindering structure-property analysis.
- Optimizing graphene oxide synthesis is key for producing high-quality graphene.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate that two distinct synthetic methods produce similar graphene oxide.
- To highlight the importance of a preserved graphene lattice in graphene oxide.
- To investigate the impact of synthesis methods on on-plane functionality.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of two graphene oxide preparation methods: sodium chlorate in nitric acid (Brodie's method) and potassium permanganate in sulfuric acid (Hummers' method).
- Controlled reaction conditions to prevent over-oxidation.
- Analytical characterization to compare material properties and lattice integrity.
Main Results:
- Both synthetic methods, when controlled, yield graphene oxide with a preserved graphene lattice.
- Analytical differences between samples primarily relate to variations in on-plane functionality, not lattice structure.
- Over-oxidation is a common issue that can be mitigated by controlling reaction parameters.
Conclusions:
- The choice between Brodie's and Hummers' methods for graphene oxide synthesis results in comparable materials.
- Precise control over reaction conditions is essential for reproducible graphene oxide synthesis.
- Simply referencing "Brodie's method" or "Hummers' method" is insufficient due to variations in outcomes.
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