What is GO?
Graphene Oxide (GO)
GO (graphene oxide) is an oxidized graphene-sheet material made by KMnO4/H2SO4 oxidation of graphite. Its oxygen-containing surface functionality gives strong polar-media dispersibility and a controllable oxidation/reduction platform for chemical transformation and graphene-like carbon restoration.
Technical owner: Aurexene Materials Engineering Team · Last updated: 2026-07-25
Quick Answer
GO (graphene oxide) is a single-layer oxidized carbon-sheet material made by KMnO4/H2SO4 oxidation of graphite.
What It Is Not
- GO is graphene oxide, not reduced graphene oxide or pristine graphene.
When Not to Use It
- Do not use GO when high electrical conductivity is required without a validated reduction step, or when oxygen-containing surface functionality is incompatible.
Intrinsic Screening Summary
- Identity screen
- Oxidized graphene carbon sheets with oxygen-containing functional groups; Single-layer oxidized graphene sheets, supplied as powder or dispersion
- Intrinsic feature
- KMnO4 dosage controls oxidation level. Chemical reduction removes oxygen functionality and restores a graphene-like conjugated carbon structure.
- Material-level integration
- GO disperses in polar solvents. Select water or a compatible polar solvent, then control solids, pH, mixing, drying, and reduction history. Preserve the intended oxygen content through dispersion and processing; use reduction only where restoration of graphene-like carbon structure is required.
Application Fit
Selection & Validation Framework
| Decision Question | Material-Level Answer |
|---|---|
| Integration and processing criteria | Required for: Conductive Materials, EMI Shielding Materials, Energy Storage, and Carbon Dispersion. Measure: surface resistance; volume resistance; resistance uniformity; particle distribution; settling; redispersion; storage stability; moisture exposure. Sample state: final host formulation or part state. Failure signals: Loss of dispersion stability; Uncontrolled reduction or oxygen-content change; Restacking during drying or processing. |
Material Identity & Specification Status
Approved values for Density and Packaging are not published; confirm them during quotation or sample review.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Composition | Oxidized graphene carbon sheets with oxygen-containing functional groups |
| CAS / identity | 2640657-49-2 |
| Particle size | Single carbon-layer thickness; lateral size is process-defined |
| Morphology | Single-layer oxidized graphene sheets, supplied as powder or dispersion |
| Purity | Oxygen-functional graphene oxide; oxidation level is controlled through KMnO4 use |
| Storage | Keep sealed and dry for powder; protect dispersions from evaporation and contamination |
Why It Works
| Structure | Function | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Single-layer oxidized carbon sheets produced from graphite, with oxygen-containing groups distributed across the sheet framework. | Oxygen functionality enables polar-media dispersion, selective oxidation chemistry, non-metal catalysis, functionalization, and use as a reduction precursor. | KMnO4 dosage controls oxidation level. Chemical reduction removes oxygen functionality and restores a graphene-like conjugated carbon structure. |
Compare Material Routes
| Material / Route | Decision Boundary |
|---|---|
| rGO | GO offers an oxygen-functional, polar-dispersible sheet platform for reaction, assembly, and later reduction. Reduction changes the oxygen content and restores graphene-like carbon structure, so GO and rGO serve different chemistry and processing roles. |
Technical Guides
| Technical Guide | Summary |
|---|---|
| Why Carbon Black, CNT, Graphene, and Expanded Graphite Require Different Dispersion Strategies | Why Carbon Black, CNT, Graphene, and Expanded Graphite Require Different Dispersion Strategies — a method-conditioned engineering guide for Conductive Plastics & Coatings covering structure-function behavior at the material, interface, and finished-system boundary, process limits, validation, and qualification boundaries. |
| How to Distinguish GNP, GO, rGO, Ionic-Liquid Exfoliated Graphene, and 3D Graphene | A material-native graphene family map that separates chemical identity, sheet or network architecture, oxidation and defect state, supplied form, functional role, processing risk, first screen, and evidence required. |
Commercial Availability
Supplier role: Request confirmation
Supply status: Request confirmation
Sample status: Sample availability requires confirmation
Commercial details are not published until the source and verification fields are complete and the Supplier Data Packet is signed by the sales owner, technical reviewer, and resource/compliance owner. Request current grade, form, sample, packaging, and delivery confirmation.
Documents & Inquiry
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Technical Data Sheet
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Safety Data Sheet
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Grade, Sample & Qualification Support
The Aurexene Materials Engineering Team can review the required form, host system, formulation or process, target, sample quantity, volume and timeline, and the grade-specific evidence needed before qualification.
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