Abstract: The present application relates to expanded graphite and exfoliated graphene oxide. More specifically, the present application relates to process for their preparation and uses thereof. The present application includes a process for preparing expanded graphite comprising: mixing graphite with H2SO4/H3PO4 to form a first mixture; adding KMnO4 to the first mixture to form a second and mixture; adding at least one Fe(III) salt to the second mixture under conditions to form a solid graphite-intercalated compound; separating the solid graphite-intercalated compound from the second mixture; and heating the solid graphite-intercalated compound under conditions to provide the expanded graphite.

Abstract: A one-pot approach for the scalable production of novel interconnected reduced graphene oxide (IC-RGO) is demonstrated). The method consists of two steps: oxidation of graphite into graphene oxide (GO); and concomitant reduction and interconnection of GO. IC-RGO is formed without additional chemical and reduction agents. Instead, interconnection of graphene oxide is enabled thorough inherently presenting oxygen functional groups produced during the first step of synthesis.

Abstract: Doping and functionalization could significantly assist in the improvement of the electrochemical properties of graphene derivatives. Herein, we report a one-pot synthesis of fluorinated graphene oxide (FGO) from graphite. The surface morphology, functionalities and composition of the resulting FGO have been studied using various surface characterization techniques, revealing that layer-structured nanosheets with ˜1.0 at. % F were formed. The carbon bound F exhibited semi-ionic bonding characteristic and significantly increased the capacitance of FGO compared to graphene oxide (GO). Further, the FGO has been employed for the simultaneous detection of heavy metal ions Cd2+, Pb2+, Cu2+ and Hg2+ using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry; and a substantial improvement in the electrochemical sensing performance is achieved in comparison with GO.

Abstract: A one-pot approach for the scalable production of novel interconnected reduced graphene oxide (IC-RGO) is demonstrated). The method consists of two steps: oxidation of graphite into graphene oxide (GO); and concomitant reduction and interconnection of GO. IC-RGO is formed without additional chemical and reduction agents. Instead, interconnection of graphene oxide is enabled thorough inherently presenting oxygen functional groups produced during the first step of synthesis.