Reduction of Graphite

Howard et al noted the reduction of graphitic Raman bands and a simultaneous appearance of bands associated with C-H stretch. At potentials negative to -1.2 V, the C-H bands also disappeared. This was explained in terms of the reduction of surface carbon into hydrocarbons and their subsequent desorption. 

Preparation of binary-alkali metal graphites by cathodic reduction of graphite in molten salt electrolytes is possible in principle but has no advantage over conventional vapor-phase intercalation, particularly because of difficulties related to the separation of the product from the melt. Cathodic intercalation of alkali cations from solid or organic polymer electrolyte is also possible . 

Cathodic reduction of graphite in dipolar aprotic solutions of alkali and [NRJ salts (e.g., in ethers, esters, amides) usually yields solvated cation intercalation compounds " however, at high cation density the solvent may be squeezed out . The corresponding phosphonium and sulfonium graphite intercalation compounds are unstable their formation is accompanied by reductive decomposition of these cations . 

Alternative methods for preparing solvated alkali-metal graphites include either secondary solvation of the binary compounds or reduction of graphite by solutions of the alkali metal in electron-solvating media such as hexamethylphosphorus triamide (HMPT) or polycyclic aromatic systems in ethers , leading, e.g., to HMPT- or ether-solvated compounds. 

The production of graphene via the reduction of graphite oxide was first described by Hanns-Peter Boehm, an X-ray crystallographer, who isolated and identified a few, or even single, graphene sheets with transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction in 1962 (Fig. 4.10) (Boehm et al., 1962). Boehm authored the International Union of Fhire and Applied Chemistry (lUPAC) report defining the term graphene in 1994. The production of... 

Zhu Y, Murali S, Stoller MD, Velamakanni A, Piner RD, Ruoff RS (2010) Microwave assisted exfoliation and reduction of graphite oxide for ultracapacitcffs. Carbon 48 2118-2122... 

Shin, H. J. et al. 2009. Efficient reduction of graphite oxide by sodium borohy-dride and its effect on electrical conductance. Advanced Functional Materials, 19, 1987-1992. 

Whitworth, H.A. Modeling Stiffness Reduction of Graphite/Epoxy Composite Laminates, Journal of Composite Materials, 21 (1987), p. 362-372... 

Preparation of finely-divided iron/carbon catalysts for ammonia synthesis by the controlled reduction of graphite/ferric chloride intercalation compounds. K. Kalucki, W. Morawski, and W. Arabczyk (Politechnika Szczecinska). PL 141907 (1988). 

Hofmann, U., Frenzel, A., 1934. The reduction of graphite oxide with hydrogen sulphide. Kolloid-Zeitschrift 68, 149—151. 

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