New Reduced Graphene Oxide/Alumina ( <scp>RGO</scp> /Al ₂ O ₃ ) Nanocomposite: Innovative Method of Synthesis and Characterization

Abstract

A novel method was developed to synthesize reduced graphene oxide/alumina nanocomposite ( RGO / Al 2 O 3 ) by in situ depositing Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles on graphene oxide flakes by a dry sol–gel process. The scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy investigations results showed that Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles (19 ± 5 nm) were homogeneously distributed onto the surface of curly‐shaped RGO flakes acting as a spacer between individual flakes. The high BET ‐specific surface area of the analyzed composite (242.4 m 2 /g) together with very low open porosity indicates that RGO / Al 2 O 3 nanocomposites have a very friable structure and show low tendency to agglomeration.