In the present work, graphene samples were obtained from graphene oxide (GO) by a direct hydrothermal method, using thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis to ascertain changes in mass as well as the oxidization temperature. Thermal analysis-mass spectrometry was also used to assess the generation of H2O+ (m/z = 18) and CO2+ (m/z = 44) ions over the temperature range of 400-650 degrees C. On the basis of the resulting data, the mass loss of the GO during the oxidation process is attributed to the loss of H2O and CO2. The thermal kinetics of graphene under ambient air were also studied at heating rates of 5, 10, and 15 degrees C . min(-1). The activation energy (E-a) and logarithm of pre-exponential factor (lg(A/s(-1))) values calculated by the Kissinger method were 155.11 kJ.mol(-1) and 6.90. The dependence of E-a and lgA on the extent of conversion, a, were also calculated, using the Ozawa-Flynn-Wall (FWO) method. The results of this work provide a frame of reference for the use of graphene in thermal applications, such as in thermal interface and thermal conductive materials, advanced composites and materials synthesis.