Reduction of graphene oxide in aqueous solution by femtosecond laser and its effect on electroanalysis

Abstract

Femtosecond laser is employed for the reduction of graphene oxide in aqueous solution without the addition of reducing agents. UV–visible spectra, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirm the formation of reduced graphene oxide in aqueous solution by the irradiation of femtosecond laser. Tunable extent of deoxygenation on graphene oxide in aqueous solution can be achieved by applying different femtosecond laser irradiation time. With increasing the femtosecond laser irradiation time for the reduction of graphene oxide in aqueous solution, enhanced voltammetric currents with reduced peak-to-peak separations are observed for the Fe(CN)6 4−/Fe(CN)6 3− redox system at the reduced graphene oxide modified electrodes. The electrocatalytic behavior toward the electrooxidation of hydrogen peroxide of the reduced graphene oxide prepared by femtosecond laser is evident from a substantial negative shift of the anodic potential and increased current signal. The present methodology is unique and simple because no reducing agent is required in the reduction process.