We report the preparation of sulfonated reduced graphene oxide (SRGO) by the sulfonation
of graphene oxide followed by radiation-induced chemical reduction. Graphene oxide
prepared by the well-known modified Hummer's method was sulfonated with the aryl
diazonium salt of sulfanilic acid. Sulfonated graphene oxide (SGO) dispersed in ethanol
was subsequently reduced by γ-ray irradiation at various absorbed doses to produce SRGO.
The results of optical, chemical, and thermal analyses revealed that SRGO was successfully
prepared by γ-ray irradiation-induced chemical reduction of the SGO suspension. Moreover,
the electrical conductivity of SRGO was increased up to 2.94 S/cm with an increase of the
absorbed dose.