Controlling the Conductive Properties of Graphene Oxide

Name of Award

3M Student-Faculty Collaborative Research Grant

Date Awarded

Spring 4-25-2018

Department/School

Chemistry

Project Description

Dr. Gina Mancini-Samuelson, a professor of chemistry, and Alexandra Schmeltzer, a student researcher, are award $2,000 by the 3M Small grant to determine the relationship between the conductive properties of graphene oxide and the amount of reduction graphene oxide undergoes. Graphene and its derivatives are used to create chemical and biological sensors which aids doctors and other medical professionals in disease detection. Other applications extend to biological imaging and drug delivery capabilities. With the new applications of these materials, it is important to understand their characteristics and properties. The notable electric properties of these nanomaterials are that graphene is a strong electrical conductor while graphene oxide is an electrical insulator. Reducing graphene oxide creates a material with conductive properties but cannot achieve the same conductivity as pure graphene. The purpose of this project is to characterize the conductive properties of graphene oxide by controlling the amount of reduction that takes place in the reaction between graphene oxide and the reducing agent, ascorbic acid. As the graphene oxide is reduced, more of the oxygen containing functional groups are removed meaning the material should theoretically lose its insulative properties and become more conductive.

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