Synthesis and Characterization of GO and rGO and their Application in Drilling Fluid as Fluid Loss Controllers

Graphene oxide nanopowder (GO) was synthesized using Hummer’s method. Comprehensive characterization employed: X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) for elemental composition; transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) for morphological imaging; photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) for optical properties; Fourier- transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy (RS) for molecular vibrational analysis; and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis) for absorption spectrum evaluation. Filtration performance was also assessed. XRD analysis confirmed successful GO synthesis and subsequent reduction to reduced graphene oxide (rGO), revealing an interlayer spacing of 0.84 nm for GO and 0.36 nm for rGO. FESEM and TEM imaging revealed exfoliated GO sheets and confirmed the two-dimensional structure of both materials, with rGO exhibiting a characteristic wrinkled morphology attributed to oxygen functional group removal. EDS quantified a significant increase in the C : O ratio from 0.64 (GO) to 3.0 (rGO), confirming effective reduction. FTIR identified oxygen functionalities in GO (O–H, C=O, C–OH, C–O–C) and their attenuation in rGO. RS indicated an increased ID/IG ratio for rGO (0.96 vs. GO’s 0.93), signifying defect formation and restoration of sp2 domains. PL intensity decreased markedly in rGO, accompanied by a blue shift. Filtration tests demonstrated that both GO and rGO suspensions exhibited effective fluid loss control properties.