A complex study of the dependence of the re duce d graphite oxide electrochemical behavior on the annealing temperature and the type of electrolyte

In this work we investigate the influence of thermal treatment of reduced graphite oxide (RGO) on its functional composition and electrochemical performance. It is found that carboxyl, carbonyl, hydroxyl and epoxy groups are present on the RGO surface, witch when subject to thermal annealing in the temperature range 230-250 degrees C can be controllably modified. In the process of thermal annealing, we show the formation of quinoid groups due to an increase in the number of defects. Decrease of the number of layers in RGO material and the quantity of oxygen-containing functional groups (OCFG) also occurs. With increase in annealing temperature, sequential removal of OCFG occurs as follows: carboxyl (250 degrees C-600 degrees C), hydroxyl (600 degrees C-800 degrees C), carbonyl and quinoid (700 degrees C-1000 degrees C). Electrochemical measurements over a wide range of pH values of the buffer electrolytes is possible to correlate the peaks in the cyclic voltammogram curves with the redox reactions of oxygen-containing functional groups as a function of applied potential. Peaks correlated with specific redox reactions which are identified as two-electron. The dependence of the specific capacities of materials on the electrolyte type has been studied. Highest capacitance was detected in 1M NaOH at a scan rate 2 mVs(-1) and is equal to 210 Fg(-1). (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigates the influence of thermal treatment on the functional composition and electrochemical performance of reduced graphite oxide (RGO), showing that thermal annealing can modify the surface functional groups of RGO. The formation of quinoid groups and sequential removal of oxygen-containing functional groups during annealing process were observed. The specific capacities of materials were found to be dependent on the electrolyte type, with the highest capacitance detected in 1M NaOH at a scan rate of 2 mVs(-1).