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Fig. 1. Promising applications of graphene oxide

Abstract:
Research Core for Interdisciplinary Sciences
Assistant Professor, Yuta Nishina

We have developed a method for the rapid preparation of graphene oxide (GO)—a strategically important material for future technology (Fig.1).

The most common method for synthesizing GO is the Hummers' method (oxidation with KMnO4 and NaNO3 in concentrated H2SO4), which requires a long reaction time and large amounts of reagents. In our research found that the microwave irradiation of natural graphite flakes before the oxidation step improved the efficiency of the oxidation process. This facile method provides a greater amount of GO compared with the original Hummers' method. We expect our rapid synthesis method based on microwave irradiation to make a major contribution to the large-scale production of GO.

Improved synthesis of graphene oxide and its application to nanocomposites

Okayama, Japan | Posted on June 20th, 2013

Patent information: Japanese patent No.5098064

Graphene is a promising support material for Pt nanoparticles, which triggered much interest in metal/graphene composites. In some cases, however, graphene-supported metal species are not preferred, because the interaction between the metal particles and graphene is quite weak due to the graphene itself is being relatively chemically inert due to the strong sp2 and π binding between carbon atoms in the graphene plane. Consequently, the metal nanoparticles are mobile on graphene, which leads to limited applications of metal/graphene composites. It has been proposed that defects or mechanical strain in graphene can significantly increase the chemical reactivity of graphene itself and also enhance the interaction between metal nanoparticles.

Therefore, GO offers significant advantages for the synthesis of composites with inorganic materials and organic polymers due to its large amounts of oxygen functionality. As an application of our GO, metal nanoparticles were supported on its surface. We succeeded to synthesize Pt, Pd, Rh, Ir, Cu, etc. nanoparticles on GO via solution processes. Controlling the degree of oxidation of GO and the oxidation state of metal species will offer a wide range of applications of metal/GO composites such as electrodes, fuel cell catalysts, and catalysts for chemical synthesis. We showed that the Pd/GO composite exhibited superior catalytic activity in selective hydrogenation and cross coupling reactions.

Japanese patent application No.2012-201088

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About Okayama University
Okayama University is one of the largest comprehensive universities in Japan with roots going back to the Medical Training Place sponsored by the Lord of Okayama and established in 1870. Now with 1,300 faculty and 14,000 students, the University offers courses in specialties ranging from medicine and pharmacy to humanities and physical sciences. Okayama University is located in the heart of Japan approximately 3 hours west of Tokyo by Shinkansen.

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Contacts:
Okayama University
1-1-1 Tsushima-naka , Kita-ku ,
Okayama 700-8530, Japan
Planning and Public Information Division

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