ABSTRACT

The escalating demand for advanced energy storage systems has spurred research into high- performance electrode materials, with graphene nanosheets emerging as the most effective material due to their exceptional electrical conductivity, high surface area, and substantial mechanical properties. This original research involved the synthesis and characterization of graphene nanosheets through the chemical reduction of graphene oxide (GO), with an emphasis on ecofriendly methodologies and their application in electrodes for batteries and supercapacitors. The chemical reduction of GO was performed by reducing graphite through oxidative processes to produce graphene nanosheets. The synthesis process involved oxidizing graphite to form GO using sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and potassium permanganate, followed by reduction to restore the sp² carbon network. The chemical reduction involved the use of environmentally benign reducing agents, namely ascorbic acid and plant extracts. The advanced characterization techniques, including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Raman Spectroscopy, were employed to analyze the structural and morphological properties of the synthesized nanosheets. SEM revealed agglomerated, porous nanosheets with partial restacking, ideal for enhancing electrochemical performance, and XRD confirmed the restoration of the sp² network with a broad (002) peak, indicating few-layer graphene, while Raman spectra displayed characteristic D, G, and 2D bands, reflecting moderate defect density typical of chemically reduced graphene. The results demonstrate successful exfoliation and reduction of GO, with the nanosheets exhibiting properties suitable for electrode applications. Hence, by optimizing reduction techniques and adopting sustainable practices, this research addresses challenges in large-scale synthesis, quality control, and environmental impact, contributing to the development of high-quality graphene nanosheets for energy storage. The findings establish and recommend that the chemical reduction technique is a scalable, ecofriendly production method, bridging the gap between laboratory research and industrial applications, and advancing the performance of next-generation energy storage devices.