This study aims to determine the effect of audiosonic sonication in normal modes on the formation of graphene oxide (GO) from carbon rods of zinc-carbon (ZnC) battery wastes. The method used in this study was sonication with an audiosonic frequency in normal modes, assisted by a surfactant solution derived from a commercial detergent. A graphite-detergent solution was exposed to audiosonic waves using a frequency of 170 Hz for 3 h with a pattern on the surface of the solution. The graphite solution was a mixture of 0.8 g of graphite powder and 100 ml of distilled water that was mixed using a blender for 2 min. 25 ml of the solution was then taken and dripped with two drops of detergent solution containing 0.2 g detergent powder dissolved into 100 ml distilled water, so that a graphite-detergent solution was obtained. The tools used in this study included UV–Visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy (FTIR), and a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The solution that was audiosonicated showed a strong visible nodal pattern on its surface. The UV–Vis spectroscopy produced absorbance peaks at wavelengths of 225 nm and 270 nm, and the FTIR indicated the presence of OH and CC functional groups, which suggested the existence of GO. The SEM images showed GO in the form of coral-like materials.

Background: This study aims to study the mixing of graphite with water irradiated by X-ray (low energy gamma ray) towards the formation of graphene oxide (GO). Materials & Methods: The graphite is obtained from Zinc-Carbon (ZnC) battery wastes. This is a simple alternative technique in synthesizing GO based on X-ray irradiation without involving additional chemicals. X-ray irradiation is conducted upon 10 ml of distilled water using 20 kV of X-ray with irradiation time variation of 3 and 4 hours. The X-ray irradiation towards the distilled water causes radiolysis to occur in the water. The graphite solution consists of 0.6 grams of graphite in 100 ml of distilled water. The GO is formed by mixing the X-ray irradiated water with 5 drops of the graphite solution. The sample solutions obtained are shaken several times and left to settle for a night. The samples are then characterized using UV-Visible (UV-Vis) and Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopies, and tunneling electron microscopy (TEM), whereas scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) characterization is done by coating the sample on glass slides. Results: The UV-Vis characterization results show a red shift of absorbance peaks from 234.5 nm to 244.5 nm as the time of irradiation is increased. These peaks indicate the formation of GO in the samples. The FTIR characterization results indicate that there are functional groups of OH, C = C, and C - O in the samples, which also show the existence of GO. The SEM images show the surface morphology of the sample, which resembles smooth-quadrilateral lump of clays, and the EDX result shows that the sample is composed of 2.86%, 54.02%, 11.62%, 2.2%, 26.23%, and 3.06% of carbon, oxygen, sodium, magnesium, silicon, and calcium atoms, respectively. The occurrence of carbon and oxygen atoms verifies further the formation of GO in the samples. Conclusion: Finally, the TEM result shows few-layers of GO materials supported by the electron diffraction pattern showing hexagonal structure of the GO.