Structural Changes in Reduced Graphene Oxide upon MnO2 Deposition by the Redox Reaction between Carbon and Permanganate Ions

We explore structural changes of the carbon in MnO2/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) hybrid materials prepared by the direct redox reaction between carbon and permanganate ions (MnO4-) to reach better understanding for the effects of carbon corrosion on carbon loss and its bonding nature during the hybrid material synthesis. In particular, we carried out near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy at the C K-edge (284.2 eV) to show the changes in the electronic structure of RGO. Significantly, the redox reaction between carbon and MnO4- causes both quantitative carbon loss and electronic structural changes upon MnO2 deposition. Such disruptions of carbon bonding have a detrimental effect on the initial electrical properties of the RGO and thus lead to a significant decrease in electrical conductivity. Electrochemical measurements of the MnO2/reduced graphene oxide hybrid materials using a cavity microelectrode revealed unfavorable electrochemical properties that were mainly due to the poor electrical conductivity of the hybrid materials. The results of this study should serve as a useful guide to rationally approaching the syntheses of metal/RGO and metal oxide/RGO hybrid materials.