Thanks to the unique properties of graphite oxides and graphene oxide (GO), this material has become one of the most promising materials that are widely studied. Graphene oxide is not only a precursor for the synthesis of thermally or chemically reduced graphene: researchers revealed a huge amount of unique optical, electronic, and chemical properties of graphene oxide for many different applications. In this review, we focus on the structure and characterization of GO, graphene derivatives prepared from GO and GO applications. We describe GO utilization in environmental applications, medical and biological applications, freestanding membranes, and various composite systems.

• Keywords
• applications, characterization, graphene oxide, synthesis,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

A high-performance magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC) composite composed of silica sand, diatomite powder, and doped with graphene nanoplatelets was prepared and characterized. Diatomite was used as a 10 vol.% replacement for silica sand. The dosage of graphene was 0.5 wt.% of the sum of the MgO and MgCl2·6H2O masses. The broad product characterization included high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy analyses. The macrostructural parameters, pore size distribution, mechanical resistance, stiffness, hygric and thermal parameters of the composites matured for 28-days were also the subject of investigation. The combination of diatomite and graphene nanoplatelets greatly reduced the porosity and average pore size in comparison with the reference material composed of MOC and silica sand. In the developed composites, well stable and mechanically resistant phase 5 was the only precipitated compound. Therefore, the developed composite shows high compactness, strength, and low water imbibition which ensure high application potential of this novel type of material in the construction industry.

• Keywords
• composites, diatomite, graphene, magnesium oxychloride, sorel cement,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

The aim of this paper is to prepare nano-functionalized ceramic foam filters from carbon-bonded alumina. The carbon-bonded filters were produced via the Schwartzwalder process using a two-step approach. The prepared ceramic foam filters were further coated using graphene oxide. Graphene oxide was prepared by the modified Tour method. The C/O of the graphene oxide ratio was evaluated by XPS, EDS and elemental analysis (EA). The amount and type of individual oxygen functionalities were characterized by XPS and Raman spectroscopy. The microstructure was studied by TEM, and XRD was used to evaluate the interlayer distance. In the next step, filters were coated by graphene oxide using dip-coating. After drying, the prepared composite filters were used for the purification of the water containing lead, zinc and cadmium ions. The efficiency of the sorption was very high, suggesting the potential use of these materials for the treatment of wastewater from heavy metals.

• Keywords
• carbon-bonded alumina, ceramic foam filters, graphene oxide, water treatment,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

The aim of this paper is to prepare and characterize partially-oxidized graphite oxide and consider if it is possible to affect the level of oxidation of particles by an adjustment of the oxidizing agent. Several samples were prepared, using different amounts of oxidizing agent. The samples were subsequently analyzed. The C/O ratio was evaluated from XPS, EDS, and EA. The amount and type of individual oxygen functionalities were characterized by XPS, Raman spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The structure was studied by SEM and XRD. Thermal stability was investigated by STA-MS in argon atmosphere. The results can be useful in order to design simple technology for graphite oxide synthesis with required oxygen content.

• Keywords
• graphene derivatives, graphite oxide, modified Tour method, partial oxidation,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH