Deoxygenation of Graphene Oxide: Reduction or Cleaning?

We show that the two-component model of graphene oxide (GO), that is, composed of highly oxidized carbonaceous debris complexed to oxygen functionalized graphene sheets, is a generic feature of the synthesis of GO, independent of oxidant or protocol used. The debris present, roughly one-third by mass, can be removed by a base wash. A number of techniques, including solid state NMR, demonstrate that the properties of the base-washed material are independent of the base used and that it contains similar functional groups to those present in the debris but at a lower concentration. Removal of the oxidation debris cleans the GO, revealing its true monolayer nature and in the process increases the C/O ratio (i.e., a deoxygenation). By contrast, treating GO with hydrazine both removes the debris and reduces (both deoxygenations) the graphene sheets