Abstract
We addressed the deposition of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) onto graphene oxide (GO) in the form of powder and paper (GOP), functionalized with amines and non-functionalized, for comparison. The functionalized supports were fabricated by means of solvent-free treatment with two aliphatic amines: 1-octadecylamine (ODA) and 1,8-diaminooctane (DAO). Ag NPs were generated in situ by using silver nitrate as a precursor and citric acid as a non-toxic and eco-friendly reducing agent. Characterization of chemical composition of GO-Ag hybrids was done by Fourier-transform infrared, X-ray photoelectron and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis. The morphology was studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, we compared electrical conductivity of GOP before and after functionalization with amines and decoration with Ag particles. While considerable particle agglomeration was observed on pristine GOP and GO powder, the prior amine functionalization gave rise to more controlled formation of Ag NPs in terms of size and distribution, with the best results obtained on 1,8-diaminooctane-functionalized supports. According to the results of DFT calculations, Ag NP binding is the strongest on pristine GO, followed by ODA and finally DAO-functionalized material, which correlates with the size and distribution of Ag nanoparticles observed experimentally.
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