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
Material Identity & Specification Status
Approved values for Density 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 |
| Packaging | Powder or dispersion format |
| 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. |
Documents & Inquiry
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Technical Data Sheet
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Grade, Sample & Qualification Support
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