Figure 10. Schematic representation of the electrochemical oxidation process of graphite in 50% sulfuric acid. Left: Hydrated hydrogen sulfate ions intercalate between the graphene layers. Right: Graphite reacts with the decomposition products of water, forming oxygen-containing functional groups. The resulting oxygen effects a pressure increase inside the electrode, causing the oxidized areas to flake off

From

Rapid Synthesis of Yellow Graphite Oxide - One-Step Electrochemical Oxidation of Graphite in Organic Solvents

Andreas Schedy, Beau Matyas, Marco Oetken

World Journal of Chemical Education. 2019, 7(2), 109-119 doi:10.12691/wjce-7-2-11