Hydration Dynamics and Functional Properties of Graphene Oxide

Graphene oxide (GO) is a two-dimensional carbon material richly decorated with oxygen-containing functional groups such as hydroxyls, epoxides and carboxyls. These moieties impart pronounced hydrophilicity, enabling GO laminates to intercalate water molecules and undergo reversible swelling. As water enters the interlayer galleries, hydrogen-bond networks form between functional groups and water, dynamically modulating the interlayer spacing and mechanical properties. The rate of adsorption and desorption depends on capillary pressures within the laminate and on surface wrinkling at the sheet edges, leading to exceptionally fast water uptake kinetics. Beyond fundamental interest in hydration dynamics, these processes underpin a range of practical applications, from air dehumidification and atmospheric water harvesting to membrane separations, sensors and protective coatings. The ability to tune interlayer distance by adjusting oxidation degree, pH or solvent composition offers precise control of ion transport, sorption capacity and mechanical resilience. Emerging efforts seek to integrate GO into composite architectures and three-dimensional frameworks, exploiting both the directional transport of water and the abundant reactive sites for advanced sorbent, catalytic and sensing technologies.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have characterised GO paper formats with varied oxygen content, revealing moisture uptake capacities surpassing conventional desiccants. Papers with higher oxygen-to-carbon ratios exhibit enhanced water adsorption at moderate humidity, while partially reduced analogues promote multilayer water formation under high humidity, extending preservation lifetimes in food-storage tests. In situ environmental electron microscopy coupled with electron energy-loss spectroscopy has further elucidated the real-time swelling behaviour of multilayer GO membranes under controlled humidity. These observations demonstrate reversible interlayer expansion proportional to relative humidity, the formation of ice within confined galleries under cryogenic conditions and the generation of micron-scale voids upon freeze–thaw cycles, highlighting the interplay between structural dynamics and water phase transitions in GO laminates.

Hydration Dynamics and Functional Properties of Graphene Oxide publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in hydration dynamics and functional properties of graphene oxide across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Hydration dynamics: The processes by which water molecules interact with and move through GO structures.
Interlayer spacing: The distance between adjacent GO sheets, which varies with water intercalation.
Swelling: Expansion of GO laminates due to absorption of water or solvent.
Hydrophilic functional groups: Oxygen-containing moieties on GO surfaces that attract and bind water.
Hygroscopicity: The capacity of a material to absorb moisture from the surrounding environment.

References

1. On the role of functionalization in graphene-moisture interaction. Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science (2023).
2. Extraordinary water adsorption characteristics of graphene oxide. Chemical Science (2018).
3. Swelling properties of graphite oxides and graphene oxide multilayered materials. Nanoscale (2020).
4. Graphene oxide papers with high water adsorption capacity for air dehumidification. Scientific Reports (2017).
5. In-Situ ESEM and EELS Observation of Water Uptake and Ice Formation in Multilayer Graphene Oxide. Scientific Reports (2015).