MIT team develops simple, inexpensive method that could help realize material's promise for electronics, solar power, and sensors.
Comparison of graphene oxide before (left) and after (right) the new annealing treatment. The graphene sheet is represented by yellow carbon spheres, while the oxygens and hydrogens are represented as red and white spheres. Annealing causes oxygen atoms to form clusters, creating areas of pure graphene (as shown in the right image). This results in increased light absorption, improved conduction of electrons, and efficient light emission. Image courtesy of the researchers.