Non-covalent functionalization of graphene oxide by polyindole and subsequent incorporation of Ag nanoparticles for electrochemical applications

Abstract

Reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) sheets have been modified by polyindole (PIn) via in situ chemical oxidation method to obtain stable dispersion in water and furthermore incorporation of Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs); the resulting Ag NPs/PIn-r-GO nanocomposite is demonstrated for electrochemical applications. Ag NPs/r-GO and PIn/GO nanocomposites have also been prepared for its comparative study with Ag NPs/PIn-r-GO. Non-covalent functionalization of GO by PIn polymer leads to PIn-GO dispersion, which is stable for several months without any precipitation. This dispersed solution is used for formation of Ag NPs/PIn-r-GO nanocomposite. Various experimental tools like UV–vis, FTIR and TEM have been used to characterize as-synthesized materials. Thereafter electrochemical performance of as-synthesized nanocomposites have been compared for their charge capacitive behaviour (without its poisoning compared to Ag NPs/r-GO) which leads to be an excellent candidate for the possible applications such as electrocatalysis, charge storage devices, etc. We observed that Ag NPs/PIn-r-GO nanocomposite exhibits better processability and electroactivity as electrode material in comparison to Ag NPs/r-GO and PIn/GO nanocomposites due to synergistic effect of individual components.