NOVELTY - The method comprises combining graphite oxide with water to form a colloidal suspension of graphene oxide, providing a working electrode and a counter electrode such that the working electrode and the counter electrode are inserted in the colloidal suspension, applying a potentiostatic field until a film of graphene oxide having a predetermined thickness forms on the working electrode, drying the film to form a graphene oxide paper, and photo-thermally reducing and thermally exfoliating the graphene oxide paper to form a graphene paper.    USE - The method is useful for synthesizing anode material, which is useful for a rechargeable battery (all claimed) such as a rechargeable lithium ion battery that is useful as a primary energy storage system for a portable electronic device such as a laptop and a mobile phone and for an electric vehicle and a hybrid electric vehicle.    ADVANTAGE - The method is capable of efficiently and rapidly synthesizing bulk quantities of anode material in an environmentally friendly manner thus enhancing the energy density, power density, performance, lifespan, charge/discharge cycles, reliability, capacity retention and repeatability of the rechargeable lithium ion battery.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The method comprises combining graphite oxide with water to form a colloidal suspension of graphene oxide, providing a working electrode and a counter electrode such that the working electrode and the counter electrode are inserted in the colloidal suspension, applying a potentiostatic field until a film of graphene oxide having a predetermined thickness forms on the working electrode, drying the film to form a graphene oxide paper, and photo-thermally reducing and thermally exfoliating the graphene oxide paper to form a graphene paper. The working electrode comprises an aluminum foil-cellulose ester assembly. The counter electrode comprises a stainless steel mesh. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:    (1) a graphene oxide paper;    (2) a method for synthesizing graphene paper; and    (3) a graphene paper.