Desenvolvimento de um nanocompósito de cobre-óxido de cobre (I) intercalado entre folhas de óxido de grafeno

Abstract

Using alternative routes to obtain functional graphene derivatives is imperative, as traditional methods such as Brodie, Staudenmaier, and Hummers employ highly potent oxidizing agents. In this study, a nanocomposite comprising graphene oxide (GO), metallic copper (Cu0), and copper (I) oxide (Cu2O) was developed through electrochemical synthesis. Initially, GO was prepared via electrochemical exfoliation of graphite (Gr) in a 0.5 M sulfuric acid (H2SO4) electrolyte solution, with the voltage ranging from +3 V to +7 V over 20 minutes. Subsequently, the GO/Cu-Cu2O nanocomposite was synthesized in three different ratios via electrosynthesis, maintaining a constant current of 50 mA for one hour using the galvanostatic method. During electrosynthesis, cupric ions (Cu2+) were reduced to copper and copper (I) oxide (Cu-Cu2O) nanoparticles (NPs), stabilized in an aqueous dispersion of GO. The NPs, GO, and nanocomposites (NCs) underwent characterization using various techniques, including UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, TGA, XRD, and SEM. The results confirmed a 72% yield of GO with a good oxidation level, although TGA revealed impurities in the final material. The successful synthesis of NCs was achieved, and XRD analysis indicated that a low GO content hinders the oxidation of Cu0.