Development of Superhydrophobic Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) for Potential Applications in Advanced Materials
Enoch Kwasi Adotey, Aliya Kurbanova, Aigerim Ospanova, Aida Ardakkyzy, Zhexenbek Toktarbay, Nazerke Kydyrbay, Mergen Zhazitov, Nurxat Nuraje, Olzat Toktarbaiuly
Abstract
Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was synthesized by chemically reducing graphene oxide (GO) using a reducing agent. The product, rGO, showed excellent hydrophobicity, as indicated by its high-water contact angle, which was greater than 150°. Characterizations using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to analyze the composition and structural differences between GO and the superhydrophobic rGO material. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that GO particles exhibited a plate-like morphology with layers of stacked plates, while rGO displayed fewer stacks that show a more separated structure of layers. The increasing demand for superhydrophobic materials in advanced materials industries, due to their potential to enhance performance, durability, and safety, makes rGO a promising candidate for use in composite materials.