Comparative study on the stability of low-solid-content aqueous dispersions of graphene nanoplatelets and graphene oxide

IF 5.4 2区化学 Q2 CHEMISTRY, PHYSICAL

Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects Pub Date : 2025-10-01 DOI:10.1016/j.colsurfa.2025.138523

Haoxuan Li , Zhihong Qin , Xufeng Zhou , Zhaoping Liu

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Abstract

Graphene and its derivatives, such as graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) and graphene oxide (GO), hold great promise in numerous application fields due to their unique properties, yet their dispersibility in aqueous media critically influences their application performance. While significant structural differences exist between GNP and GO (GO is highly functionalized with oxygen-containing groups, whereas GNP is hydrophobic with low oxygen content), previous research of the dispersion stability of graphene has predominantly focused on GO, leaving the stability mechanisms of GNP in complex aqueous environments largely unexplored. This study systematically investigates the stability difference between GNP and GO in low-solid-content aqueous dispersions to provide guidance for developing graphene dispersion technologies suitable for various environments. Employing multi-scale characterization techniques including structural analysis (FTIR/Raman), morphological examination (SEM/AFM), dynamic light scattering, and time-lapse photography, combined with agglomeration kinetics analysis, the effects of pH and ionic strength on their stability were examined. Results indicate that both materials destabilize under extreme pH (<3 or >11) and high ionic strength, but GNP demonstrates superior stability in high-salt conditions compared to GO. Conversely, GO exhibits a broader stable pH window (pH 4–11) and higher concentration retention in neutral to weakly alkaline environments. The findings suggest GO is suitable for low-ionic-strength scenarios, whereas GNP shows greater potential in high-salt applications.

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低固相含量石墨烯纳米片与氧化石墨烯水分散体稳定性的比较研究

石墨烯及其衍生物，如石墨烯纳米片（GNP）和氧化石墨烯（GO），由于其独特的性能，在许多应用领域都有很大的前景，但它们在水介质中的分散性严重影响了它们的应用性能。虽然GNP和氧化石墨烯之间存在显著的结构差异（氧化石墨烯具有高含氧官能团，而GNP具有低氧含量的疏水性），但之前对石墨烯分散稳定性的研究主要集中在氧化石墨烯上，而GNP在复杂水环境中的稳定机制在很大程度上未被探索。本研究系统地考察了GNP和氧化石墨烯在低固含量水性分散体中的稳定性差异，为开发适用于各种环境的石墨烯分散体技术提供指导。采用结构分析（FTIR/Raman）、形貌分析（SEM/AFM）、动态光散射和延时摄影等多尺度表征技术，结合团聚动力学分析，考察了pH和离子强度对其稳定性的影响。结果表明，这两种材料在极端pH值（<；3或>；11）和高离子强度下都不稳定，但GNP在高盐条件下的稳定性优于氧化石墨烯。相反，氧化石墨烯在中性至弱碱性环境中表现出更宽的稳定pH窗口（pH 4-11）和更高的浓度保留。研究结果表明，氧化石墨烯适用于低离子强度场景，而GNP在高盐应用中显示出更大的潜力。

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来源期刊

Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects 化学-物理化学

CiteScore

8.70

自引率

9.60%

发文量

2421

审稿时长

56 days

期刊介绍： Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects is an international journal devoted to the science underlying applications of colloids and interfacial phenomena. The journal aims at publishing high quality research papers featuring new materials or new insights into the role of colloid and interface science in (for example) food, energy, minerals processing, pharmaceuticals or the environment.