Abstract:
Green synthesis of functionalised graphene materials has become one of the pioneering topics
in material science lately due to the drawbacks of existing chemical and other synthesis methods.
This study focuses on optimising the green synthesis of reduced graphene oxide (rGO)
using shoot-derived extracts of Euphorbia hirta and graphene oxide (GO). The approach aims
to combine the physicochemical properties of graphene with the bioactivities of plant phytochemicals
in the resulting material. Euphorbia hirta plant extract was used to reduce the GO
for the first time to the best of our knowledge. We found a straightforward method by optimising
the reaction conditions for reduction, enhancing both the practicality and sustainability
of the process. Furthermore, the successful reduction of GO to reduced graphene oxide (rGO)
production via optimised condition was comprehensively confirmed using the final synthesised
material through the X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR),
and Ultraviolet-visible spectrometer (UV-Vis). The color of the graphene oxide suspension
changed from brown to black, as an obvious visible characteristic of the effect of reduction and
suggests the formation of rGO. The XRD peak corresponding to GO at 2θ = 10◦ has disappeared,
verifying the reduction of GO to rGO. The UV-vis spectra revealed that the synthesis
of Euphorbia hirta reduced GO by change in absorption spectrums while the FTIR analysis
showed the characteristic oxygen functional groups present in the rGO. Subsequently bioactivities
including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are under investigation with the
incorporation with plant phytochemicals. Therefore, Euphorbia hirta reduced graphene holds
promise in the biomedical field for different applications.
