A green reduction of graphene oxide via starch-based materials

Abstract

A green approach is developed for the reduction of graphene oxide (GO) via starch-based materials such as soluble starch, potato, sweet potato and corn powder. The graphene has been prepared via the starch-based materials at 80 °C for 3 h. Atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy results provide clear evidence for the formation of a few layers of graphene. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the Fourier transform infrared spectra and Raman results indicate the partial removal of oxygen-containing functional groups from the surface of GO and formation of graphene with defects. The starch-based materials can not only act as the efficient reducing agents, but also play an important role in stabilizing the as-prepared rGO simultaneously. Besides, these starch-based materials are green, nontoxic and environmentally friendly compared with common reduction agents such as hydrazine. This new approach can open up a new possibility for prepared graphene in large-scale production with green and biological agents in mild synthesis condition.