Cutting-edge techniques for graphene oxide reduction: methods and applications

Abstract

Graphene has attracted widespread attention due to its remarkable mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and unique optical properties. It is composed of a sp2-hybridized two-dimensional carbon atom structure that resembles a honeycomb network. Chemical vapor deposition, epitaxial growth, reduction of graphene oxide (GO), and micro-mechanical exfoliation of highly ordered pyrolytic graphite are some of the techniques that can be employed for producing graphene. Two of GO’s most significant characteristics are its low cost of synthesis from inexpensive graphite and its high hydrophilicity, which enable the assembly of macroscopic structures utilizing simple and affordable solution methods. These characteristics are necessary for large-scale graphene applications. Reduced GO (rGO) has a significant impact on material and device performance and is essential for recovering the characteristics of graphene. Our work provides a comprehensive overview of various strategies used to reduce GO, which are made possible by processes related to thermal, chemical, electrochemical, and photoreduction. Furthermore, we unveil the structural characteristics of both graphene and reduced graphene via certain important characterization techniques. Finally, some potential applications of graphene and related materials (i.e., compounds based on colloidal suspensions of GO) are discussed. The insights offered by this review can capture the attention of both researchers and the general public, highlighting the potential uses of graphene. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.