“…Synthesis of GO. The GO synthesis was performed by an improved Hummers method [29,30]. Briefly, a solution of H 2 SO 4 ð97%Þ + H 3 PO 4 ð85%Þ ((9 : 1) (360 mL of H 2 SO 4 + 40 mL of H 3 PO 4 )) was prepared; the reaction was cooled using ice; then, a mixture of graphite powder and KMnO 4 powder ((1 : 6) (3 g of graphite + 18 g of KMnO 4 )) was added to the solution and stirred at 500 RPM for 12 h; the solution was heated at 50°C and stored at room temperature for 2 h. Later, 3 mL of H 2 O 2 (50%) was added, allowing the mixture to precipitate (48 h); the resultant supernatant was removed; the solution was centrifuged (1500 RPM, 1 h), and the supernatant was removed; shortly after, 200 mL of H 2 O was added and stirred (1 h), the solution was centrifuged (3000 RPM, 1 h), and the supernatant was removed; the pH was set at 5 by water wash; then, 200 mL of HCl (33%) was added and stirred (10 min), the solution was centrifuged (3000 RPM, 2 h), and the supernatant was removed; the pH was set at 7 by water wash; 200 mL of ethanol was then added and stirred (10 min), later the solution was centrifuged (3000 RPM, 2 h), and the supernatant was removed; 200 mL of ether was added, and the solution was vacuum dried; the remaining material was pulverized to obtain a fine dust; finally, the GO was purified by repeating the water wash process.…”