Method of exfoliating and functionalizing graphite anode

Abstract

A. providing an electrochemical cell with a first graphitic electrode and a second conductive electrode, wherein the first graphitic electrode is made of any one of HOPG, natural graphite, and synthetic graphite, the first graphitic electrode is held at a most positive potential, and the second conductive electrode is conductive, wherein a current passes through the electrochemical cell; B. providing an electrolyte of a solvent in the electrochemical cell, wherein the electrolyte has specific oxygen containing salts and base. Thereby, the graphitic electrode is functionalized and exfoliated by applying a voltage between the two electrodes thus producing graphene oxide.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of producing graphene oxide in an electrochemical cell comprising steps of:
 A. providing an electrochemical cell with a first graphitic electrode and a second conductive electrode, wherein the first graphitic electrode is made of any one of HOPG, natural graphite, synthetic graphite and partially exfoliated graphite the first graphitic electrode is held at a most positive potential, and the second electrode is conductive;   B. providing an electrolyte in the electrochemical cell comprising a solvent, wherein the electrolyte contains specific oxygen containing salts and a strong base facilitating exfoliation and oxidation of the graphite electrode..   
     
     
         2 . The method of producing the graphene oxide in the electrochemical cell as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the graphitic electrode is pretreated by any one of sonication, ultrasound, and chemical. 
     
     
         3 . The method of producing the graphene oxide in the electrochemical cell as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second conductive electrode is a conductive polymer or a metal. 
     
     
         4 . The method of producing the graphene oxide in the electrochemical cell as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the solvent is water. 
     
     
         5 . The method of producing the graphene oxide in the electrochemical cell as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the solvent is an organic solvent. 
     
     
         6 . The method of producing the graphene oxide in the electrochemical cell as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the solvent is a mixture between water and an organic solvent. 
     
     
         7 . The method of producing the graphene oxide in the electrochemical cell as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the solvent is any one of acetone, isopropanol, ethanol and methanol. 
     
     
         8 . The method of producing the graphene oxide in the electrochemical cell as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte consists of salts where in an anionic part is any one of sulfate, nitrate and chlorate. 
     
     
         9 . The method of producing the graphene oxide in the electrochemical cell as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte consists any one of persulate, perchlorate, and perphosphate. 
     
     
         10 . The method of producing the graphene oxide in the electrochemical cell as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the cationic part of the salt is selected from sodium, potassium, and ammonium. 
     
     
         11 . The method of producing the graphene oxide in the electrochemical cell as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the cationic part of the salt is selected from sodium, potassium, and ammonium. 
     
     
         12 . The method of producing the graphene oxide in the electrochemical cell as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte further consists of an Arrhenius base. 
     
     
         13 . The method of producing the graphene oxide in the electrochemical cell as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the base is any one of potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, and tetraethylammonium hydroxide. 
     
     
         14 . The method of producing the graphene oxide in the electrochemical cell as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte is recovered by i) filtration, ii) interface of two immiscible liquid, and iii) centrifugation. 
     
     
         15 . The method of producing the graphene oxide in the electrochemical cell as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the graphene oxide is used to prepare water-dispersible suspensions. 
     
     
         16 . The method of producing the graphene oxide in the electrochemical cell as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the graphene oxide is used to prepare freestanding graphene oxide membranes. 
     
     
         17 . The method of producing the graphene oxide in the electrochemical cell as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the graphene oxide is used to prepare composite materials.