Direct observation of quantum-confined graphene-like states and novel hybrid states in graphene oxide by transient spectroscopy

Abstract

Quantum-confined graphene-like electronic states are directly observed in graphene oxide and photothermally reduced graphene oxide via transient spectroscopy. An unexpected novel hybrid state arising from amorphous carbon-like peripheral structure with high sp(3) /sp(2) carbon ratio in close vicinity of confined graphene-like states is found commonly existent in various carbon nanomaterials, including graphene oxide, graphene quantum dots, and carbon dots.

Keywords: confined sp2 states; graphene oxide; hybrid states; insulator-to-semiconductor transition; reduced graphene oxide.