Surface Modification of Graphene Nanosheets with Gold Nanoparticles: The Role of Oxygen Moieties at Graphene Surface on Gold Nucleation and Growth

Graphene sheets, which possess unique nanostructure and a variety of fascinating properties, are considered as promising nanoscale building blocks of new nanocomposites, namely as a support material for the dispersion of metal nanoparticles. One of the methodologies used to prepare graphene sheets is the chemical exfoliation of graphite in aqueous medium, which produces oxygen functionalized graphene sheets. Here, we show that the presence of oxygen functionalities at the graphene surface provides reactive sites for the nucleation and growth of gold nanoparticles. Gold nanoparticles are effectively grown at functionalized graphene surfaces using a simple chemical method in aqueous medium. The nucleation and…