Graphene−Metal Particle Nanocomposites

Abstract

Graphene sheets, which possess unique nanostructure and a variety of fascinating properties, can be considered as promising nanoscale building blocks of new composites, for example, a support material for the dispersion of nanoparticles. Here, we present a general approach for the preparation of graphene−metal particle nanocomposites in a water−ethylene glycol system using graphene oxide as a precursor and metal nanoparticles (Au, Pt and Pd) as building blocks. These metal nanoparticles are adsorbed on graphene oxide sheets and play a pivotal role in catalytic reduction of graphene oxide with ethylene glycol, leading to the formation of graphene−metal particle nanocomposites. The typical methanol oxidation of graphene−Pt composites in cyclic voltammograms analyses indicated its potential application in direct methanol fuel cells, bringing graphene−particle nanocomposites close to real technological applications.