Green synthesis and characterization of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide from sugarcane bagasse

Environmental pollution and agricultural waste accumulation represent major global challenges requiring sustainable technological solutions. In this work, an environmentally friendly strategy was developed to convert agricultural biomass waste, specifically sugarcane bagasse, into graphene-based nanomaterials. The synthesis involved controlled pyrolysis of biomass to obtain carbonaceous biochar, followed by chemical activation and oxidation using a modified Hummers method to produce graphene oxide (GO). A green reduction process employing L-ascorbic acid was subsequently used to obtain reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Comprehensive physicochemical characterization was performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier- transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Visible spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, and Raman spectroscopy measurements. Structural analysis confirmed the transformation from turbostratic biomass-derived graphitic carbon to oxygen-functionalized graphene oxide and subsequently to partially restored graphitic domains in rGO. Morphological observations revealed the formation of thin, wrinkled graphene sheets after reduction. Elemental analysis indicated an increased C/O ratio following green reduction, confirming partial deoxygenation. Zeta potential measurements suggested moderate colloidal stability due to residual surface functionalities. The results demonstrate that sugarcane bagasse can serve as a low-cost and renewable precursor for graphene derivatives through a sustainable waste-to-wealth approach. The synthesized materials exhibit physicochemical characteristics that make them promising candidates for future environmental applications. The present work establishes a sustainable platform for the development of biomass-derived graphene materials, while evaluation of their environmental performance will be the subject of future investigations.