Graphene oxide reduction process: monitoring and modeling of the reaction kinetics

• Grant number: 22/07985-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2022
• End date: October 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Andrés Vercik
• Grantee: Alessandra Maria Garcia Barbosa
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The chemical reduction of graphene oxide is considered the most promising method for large-scale, fast and low-cost graphene production in solution. Despite its importance, there is a lack of studies of this process, whose detailed description would allow optimizing it from both, time and cost viewpoints. This project aims to perform a study of the kinetics of the chemical reduction process of graphene oxide, by on-line and real time monitoring of the process. For that purpose, two reducing agents will be used: hydrazine, the most used despite its toxicity, and ascorbic acid, which has emerged as a promising and eco-friendly alternative. The project involves establishing a new methodology for monitoring the reaction by measuring the electrical conduction of the solution, as well as the study of the chemical processes occurring during the reaction. It is expected to determine the process characteristics, as the dependency of the reaction rates on the reactant concentrations and also to elaborate a mathematical model for the whole process, in order to control its parameters. This project is a consequence of a regular grant (Proc. FAPESP 2-15/23890-7).