Graphene oxide-based materials : synthesis, characterization and applications

Abstract

In this study, the properties and applications of graphene oxide-based materials have been explored. Specifically, graphene oxide, i.e. a single layer of graphite oxide, reduced graphene oxide and their thin films were investigated. The interest in graphene oxide stems from the ability of its surface to be easily chemically modified. Thin film of reduced graphene oxide also shows exceptional properties as scaffolds for cell culture and matrix for mass spectroscopy. The composites of graphene and nanoparticles show promises in various fields. The author proposes a straightforward one-step chemical method for in-situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles on both graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide surfaces. Silver nanoparticles with different morphology were grown on graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide surfaces after heating 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane-modified silicon oxide substrates adsorbed with graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide in a sodium nitrate solution. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed that well-distributed and small size silver nanoparticles were grown on graphene oxide, while large silver particles were grown on the reduced graphene oxide. The silver nanoparticles were proved active in surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy for the detection of p-aminothiolphenol.