Photoreduction of graphite oxide

The photoreduction of graphite oxide (GO) films and solutions by UV light was studied. The electrical resistance of a GO film decreases upon irradiation by more than an order of magnitude. The threshold of photoreduction was determined to be 3.2 eV. The photoreduction is accompanied by an increase in absorption in the visible spectral region, and the CO, CO2, O-2, and H2O molecules were found in the gas phase above the irradiated GO film.