In-situ structural investigation of the mechanism of electrochemical graphite transformation into graphite oxide

The proposed project is focused on the study of the mechanism of electrochemical method of graphite oxide synthesis. Electrochemical oxidation of graphite during in certain concentrations of sulphuric acid is known method to produce graphite oxide (GO).However, the chemical mechanism and detailed understanding of structural changes which occur in process of GO formation were examined by experimental studies. The main goal of the project is in-situ study of electrochemical GO formation in aqueous H2SO4 and HClO4 electrolytes. It is expected that the mechanism of graphite electrochemical overoxidation is more complex than one proposed in literature based on ex situ studies of reaction products. The new findings and conclusions will contribute to fundamental understanding of electrochemical oxidation of graphite and contribute to more wide use of electrochemical oxidation to produce high quality graphite/graphene oxide.