A one-step method for reduction and self-assembling of graphene oxide into reduced graphene oxide aerogels

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) aerogels were fabricated under mild conditions from an aqueous solution of graphene oxide (GO) using a one-step method which included the reduction of GO by mercaptoacetic acid and the self-assembling of rGO. The reduction of GO was confirmed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis. The elemental compositions of the GO and rGO aerogels were determined with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The effect of different mercapto compounds on the assembly of rGO was investigated and the results showed that rGO can also accomplish self-assembling in water when mercaptoacetic acid and mercaptoethanol were used. The porous structure of the rGO aerogels was observed with scanning electron microscopy and their porosities were in the range of 90–96% when mercaptoacetic acid was used as the reductant. The high porosity gives the rGO aerogels excellent absorption abilities for metal ions.