A One Step Hydrothermal Approach for the Improved Synthesis of Graphene Nanosheets

In this paper, we are reporting a one step hydrothermal approach to the synthesis of graphene nanosheets via reduction of graphene oxide (GO). The obtained graphene nanosheets are characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectron (XPS) and Raman spectroscopic techniques. XRD analysis revealed the regraphitization process occurred in the graphene nanosheets. The UV-vis spectroscopy showed red shift in the absorption band due to the formation of graphene nanosheets. TEM studies revealed the sheet like morphology of the obtained graphene. XPS spectra confirmed the removal of oxygenated functional groups in graphene due to the hydrothermal reduction reaction. Raman spectra confirmed the restoration of sp2 clusters in graphene sheets after the reduction. The average crystallite size of the sp2 clusters in graphene sheets was calculated from the Raman spectra as 11.76 nm.