A facile green strategy for rapid reduction of graphene oxide by metallic zinc

This work reports a green and facile approach to the synthesis of graphene nanosheets through the zinc reduction of a graphene oxide precursor in alkaline media. Compared to the chemical reduction of GO by using hydrazine or its derivations, the present route is operationally easy and environmentally friendly. Moreover, the reduction degree of GO in the present condition is much higher than that in either Zn or alkaline solutions alone, indicating a cooperative mechanism, and the as-prepared graphene exhibits a good stability in solution. This simple method shows promising applications in the bulk-quantity production of graphene and graphene-based materials.