Graphene oxide mediated reduction of silver ions to silver nanoparticles under environmentally relevant conditions: Kinetics and mechanisms

Abstract

We systematically investigated the reduction mechanisms and reduction kinetics of silver ions (Ag ions) by graphene oxide (GO) under ambient condition. UV–vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and electron diffraction results revealed that silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) could be formed from aqueous Ag ions in the presence of GO at pH 8 under light. Formation of Ag NPs increased with increasing pH (7.4, 8, and 9) and temperature (from 30 to 90); however, the increasing ionic strength and dissolved oxygen reduced the Ag NPs yield. The Ag ions reduction by GO followed pseudo-first-order kinetics under both dark and light, and light irradiation significantly accelerated the Ag NPs formation induced by GO. The phenolic-OH on GO was the dominating electron donator for Ag ion reduction in dark. Exposure to light increased the concentration of phenolic-OH on the GO surface, thereby stimulating the reduction rate of Ag ions by GO. In addition, the light induced electron-hole pairs on GO surface and light activated oxygen-centered radicals on GO surface promoted the reduction of adsorbed Ag ions by GO. Our findings provide important information for the role of GO in reducing Ag ions to Ag NPs in aquatic environments, and shed light on understanding the environmental fate and risk of both Ag ions and GO materials.