Catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol by  gamma radiation assisted synthesized Au-rGO nanocomposite 

Department of Physics, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, India

Adv. Mater. Lett., 2017, 8 (3), pp 251-255

DOI: 10.5185/amlett.2017.6556

Publication Date (Web): Jan 28, 2017

Copyright © IAAM-VBRI Press

E-mail: appi.2907@gmail.com

Abstract

Gold-reduced graphene oxide (AG) nanocomposites were synthesized by one-step gamma radiation assisted method. UV-Visible spectroscopic results showed the disappearance of 230 nm peak and appearance of a peak around 269 nm in AG nanocomposite confirming the reduction of GO, and also a peak around 534 nm appears confirming the formation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). X-ray diffractogram results of AG nanocomposite showed a broad peak around 25° corresponding to reduced graphene oxide and also it showed peak corresponding to face centered cubic structured AuNPs corroborating the UV-Visible spectroscopic results. The decoration of AuNPs of size 6 nm on reduced graphene oxide sheet was revealed by transmission electron microscopic results. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic results confirmed the removal of oxygen functional groups from graphene oxide and formation of Au 4f in AG nanocomposite. The synthesized AG nanocomposite showed enhanced catalytic reduction of 4-Nitrophenol compared to rGO and AuNPs due to synergistic effect of individual component. Gamma radiation assisted method synthesis of Au-rGO nanocomposite may emerge as one-step synthesis that don’t require high temperature or harsh reducing agent.

Keywords

Reduced graphene oxide, AuNPs, nanocomposites, reduction, 4-Nitrophenol.