Partial reduction of graphene oxide upon intercalation into exfoliated manganese thiophosphate

Abstract

We have prepared novel nanohybrid Li_2xMn_1−xPS₃/GO films consisting of graphene oxide (GO) and exfoliated MnPS₃ nanosheets via an easy mixing protocol at room temperature. These films were investigated by SEM and AFM, as well as XRD, Raman and XPS spectroscopies, obtaining information about the nature of the interaction between MnPS₃ and GO. In particular, the dark colour of the nanocomposite film and, more to the point, the analysis of (i) the C1s core level XPS spectra, (ii) the interlayer spacing obtained by XRD measurements and (iii) the increment in the intensity ratio I_D/I_G of the two bands typical of the carbon region of GO Raman spectra, suggest that a partial reduction of GO can be obtained right upon intercalation into Li_2xMn_1−xPS₃.

Keywords:

• AFM
• nanocomposites
• Raman spectroscopy
• SEM
• thin films
• XPS
• XRD