Green Synthesis of Reduced Graphene Oxide using Diplazium maximum (D. Don) C. Chr.

Abstract

Graphene is important due to its mechanical, electrical, thermal, nontoxic, and extraordinary chemical stability, and high surface area properties. Derivative of graphene, i.e., rGO, can be synthesized by using chemical methods as well as green methods. The present study focuses on synthesizing reduced graphene oxide (rGO) using young fronds of Diplazium maximum. Sustainably synthesized rGO was characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and FTIR analyses. UV-visible spectroscopy revealed increased conjugation as the Graphene oxide was treated with bioactive plant extract, indicating the conversion of GO into rGO. Infrared (IR) analysis indicated the disappearance of several peaks and a fall in the intensity of certain peaks, supporting the successful synthesis of rGO. Additionally gradual disappearance of certain diffraction peaks and the appearance of other peaks in X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the successful synthesis of rGO by using D. maximum phytoextract. Results successfully demonstrated that the synthesis of reduced graphene oxide using the young frond of D. maximum was lucrative, renewable, and environmentally friendly.