Synthesis of Graphene Oxide via Liquid Exfoliation Using Self-Custom-Made Tweeter Piezoelectric Ultrasound Generator and Assisted by Surfactant from Commercial Detergent

Abstract

Rapid progress in nanotechnology requires the production of novel nanomaterials. This study aims to synthesize Graphene Oxide (GO) via the Liquid Exfoliation (LE) method using a self-custom-made tweeter piezoelectric system as the ultrasound generator. Linear Alkylbenzena Sulfonate (LAS) surfactant contained in commercial detergent is used to assist the exfoliation process. This synthesis method is simple, inexpensive and may produce GO in a large quantity. Furthermore, the effect of the sonication time on the synthesis of GO is studied. The UV-Vis spectrophotometer and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) are used to characterize the synthesis results. UV-Vis analysis shows that the longer the sonication time spent, the thinner the GO layers produced. Moreover, images from SEM show that the surface morphology of the GO forms transparent layers which are stacked together on top of each other.