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Here preparation of high surface area activated reduced graphene oxide (arGO) oxidized into a 3D analogue of defect-rich GO (dGO) is reported. Surface oxidation of arGO results in carbon to oxygen ratio C/O = 3.3, similar to the oxidation state of graphene oxide while preserving high BET surface area of about 880 m² g⁻¹. Analysis of surface oxidized arGO shows high abundance of oxygen functional groups which converts hydrophobic precursor into hydrophilic material. High surface area carbons provide the whole surface for oxidation without the need of intercalation and lattice expansion. Therefore, surface oxidation methods are sufficient to convert the materials into 3D architectures with chemical properties similar to graphene oxide. The "3D graphene oxide" shows high sorption capacity for U(VI) removal in an extraordinary broad interval of pH. Notably, the surface oxidized carbon material has a rigid 3D structure with micropores accessible for penetration of radionuclide ions. Therefore, the bulk "3D GO" can be used as a sorbent directly without dispersing, the step required for GO to make its surface area accessible for pollutants.