Formation of graphene oxide from carbon rods of zinc-carbon battery wastes by audiosonic sonication assisted by commercial detergent

• Main Authors: Wipsar Sunu Brams Dwandaru, Lia Desi Parwati, Rhyko Irawan Wisnuwijaya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: AIP Publishing LLC 2019-06-01
• Series: Nanotechnology and Precision Engineering
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589554019300017

This study aims to determine the effect of audiosonic sonication in normal modes on the formation of graphene oxide (GO) from carbon rods of zinc-carbon (ZnC) battery wastes. The method used in this study was sonication with an audiosonic frequency in normal modes, assisted by a surfactant solution derived from a commercial detergent. A graphite-detergent solution was exposed to audiosonic waves using a frequency of 170 Hz for 3 h with a pattern on the surface of the solution. The graphite solution was a mixture of 0.8 g of graphite powder and 100 ml of distilled water that was mixed using a blender for 2 min. 25 ml of the solution was then taken and dripped with two drops of detergent solution containing 0.2 g detergent powder dissolved into 100 ml distilled water, so that a graphite-detergent solution was obtained. The tools used in this study included UV–Visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy (FTIR), and a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The solution that was audiosonicated showed a strong visible nodal pattern on its surface. The UV–Vis spectroscopy produced absorbance peaks at wavelengths of 225 nm and 270 nm, and the FTIR indicated the presence of OH and CC functional groups, which suggested the existence of GO. The SEM images showed GO in the form of coral-like materials. Keywords: Audiosonic sonication, Commercial detergent, Graphene oxide, ZnC battery