Fractionation of graphene oxide through emulsion stabilization and graphene oxide produced thereby
A method to fractionate and isolate components of oxidized graphene material is provided that includes fractionating a system that includes graphene oxide, a solvent and water, wherein the fractionation creates two phases or fractions: (i) a water phase or fraction that contains highly oxidized graphene oxide, and (ii) a solvent-in-water emulsion phase or fraction that contains a graphene-based material. The graphene-based material is recovered from the solvent-in-water phase or fraction. Fractionation of the solvent-in-water emulsion phase or fraction may be repeated. The graphene-based material (uGO) may be used in a range of applications, e.g., a medical device, a nanoelectronic, an electromechanical system, a sensor, a composite, a catalysis, and energy storage device, and an optics application.
1. A method to fractionate and isolate components of oxidized graphene material, comprising:
a. fractionating a system that includes graphene oxide, a solvent and water, wherein the fractionation creates two phases or fractions: (i) a water phase or fraction that contains highly oxidized graphene oxide, and (ii) a solvent-in-water emulsion phase or fraction that contains a graphene-based material; and
b. separating the graphene-based material from the solvent-in-water phase or fraction to recover the graphene-based material.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising repeating the fractionating process on the solvent-in-water emulsion phase or fraction.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of heptane, toluene and chloroform.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising using the graphene-based material (uGO) in an application selected from the group consisting of one or more of a medical device, a nanoelectronic, an electromechanical system, a sensor, a composite, a catalysis, and energy storage device, and an optics application.
5. A method of forming a polymer hydrogel mixture, comprising:
a. mixing DI water, Heptane, HMA, N,N′-Methylenebisacrylamide crosslinker, KPS, TEMED, and a GO or uGO fraction; and
b. storing the mixture at 40 degrees Celsius overnight;
wherein an emulsion is formed that is stabilized by GO or uGO sheets.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the GO or uGO fraction is GO.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein a GO-hydrogel is formed.
8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the GO or uGO fraction is uGO.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein a uGO-hydrogel is formed.