SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF AU NANOPARTICLES/REDUCED GRAPHENE OXIDE NANOCOMPOSITE: A FACILE AND ECO-FRIENDLY APPROACH

In this paper, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was used as a green reductant both for the fabrication of soluble reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and the synthesis of Au nanoparticles/rGO nanocomposite. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra confirmed the efficient removal of the oxygen-containing groups in graphene oxide (GO) through the reduction act of EGCG. Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) were anchored onto the rGO sheets by heating the mixed solution of rGO and chloroauric acid at 65 degrees C using EGCG as reductant. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscope (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed to characterize the resulting nanocomposite. Due to the chelating effect of polyhydroxy EGCG, AuNPs with diameters of similar to 20-50 nm were stably decorated onto both sides of the rGO sheets. Because this reduction method avoids the use of toxic reagents, AuNPs/rGO nanocomposite would be eco-friendly, and it might be useful not only for electronic devices but also for biocompatible materials in the future applications.