REDUCTION OF GRAPHENE OXIDE USING EXTRACTS AND NATURAL PRODUCTS: A REVIEW (Atena Editora)

Abstract

Graphene and its derivatives, such as graphene oxide (GO), are materials that, at room temperature, have excellent electrical, thermal and optical properties. In the GO reduction process, it is necessary to add reducing and stabilizing agents such as hydrazine (N2H4), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), sodium borhydride (NaBH4), ascorbic acid (AA) and others. Although they present excellent graphene deoxygenation conditions, they are highly toxic. The toxicity of these agents directly affects the user with a risk to health and the environment, especially when discarded in inappropriate places for waste disposal. In this sense, natural products are being used as a viable alternative to avoid the use of these toxic reducing agents and contribute to sustainable development. This article aims to present a review of the materials and methods used to reduce GO using natural extracts. Scientific research on the process of reducing graphene with natural products is a growing area and has proven to be a sustainable solution for production. Among the raw materials used, açaí, piquiá and tucumã stand out, which in addition to reducing costs due to their much lower purchasing value, present an alternative route to the use of conventional reducing agents.