Synthesis of three-dimensional graphene architectures by using an environmental-friendly surfactant as a reducing agent

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) modified reduced graphene aerogel (PVP-GA) was prepared through hydrothermal reduction and chemical reduction of graphene oxide (GO) in the presence of PVP. The structure of PVP-GA was characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM and BET specific surface area. The results showed that GO was reduced effectively in the presence of PVP and the PVP molecules were absorbed onto the basal plane of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) through non-covalent interactions. The preparation process was carried out in aqueous media at 120 °C for 10 h without using any toxic reducing agent, thereby making it a facile, environmental-friendly and economical approach for the synthesis of a three-dimensional (3D) interconnected graphene macrostructure. The as-prepared monolithic 3D graphene exhibits a loose and high porous structure, which may find potential applications for adsorbent, shock absorber, catalyst carrier and hydrogen storage materials. In addition, it confirmed that simultaneous hydrothermal reduction and chemical reduction routes would be of value for preparing 3D nonporous graphene-based materials via the use of cheap and environmentally-friendly PVP as a reducing agent.