Green synthesis of high conductivity silver nanoparticle-reduced graphene oxide composite films

• Published in: Applied surface science 2014-04, Vol.298, p.62-67
• Main Authors: Dinh, D.A., Hui, K.S., Hui, K.N., Cho, Y.R., Zhou, Wei, Hong, Xiaoting, Chun, Ho-Hwan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Composites; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Dimension controlled; Electrical property; Exact sciences and technology; Physics; Reduced graphene oxide; Silver nanoparticles; Ultrasonication; Vitamin C
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2014.01.101

•A green facile chemical approach to control the dimensions of Ag nanoparticles–graphene oxide (AgNPs/GO) composites was performed at room temperature.•With decreasing ultrasonication time, the size of the Ag nanoparticles decreased and became uniformly distributed over the surface of the GO nanosheets.•The as-prepared AgNPs/rGO composite films were then formed using a spin coating method and reduced at 500°C under N2/H2 gas flow for 1h.•The lowest sheet resistance of 270Ω/sq was obtained in the film corresponding to 1min of ultrasonication, which showed a 40 times lower resistivity than the rGO film (10.93kΩ/sq). A green facile chemical approach to control the dimensions of Ag nanoparticles–graphene oxide (AgNPs/GO) composites was performed by the in situ ultrasonication of a mixture of AgNO3 and graphene oxide solutions with the assistance of vitamin C acting as an environmentally friendly reducing agent at room temperature. With decreasing ultrasonication time, the size of the Ag nanoparticles decreased and became uniformly distributed over the surface of the GO nanosheets. The as-prepared AgNPs/rGO composite films were then formed using a spin coating method and reduced at 500°C under N2/H2 gas flow for 1h. Four-point probe measurements showed that the sheet resistance of the AgNPs/rGO films decreased with decreasing AgNPs size. The lowest sheet resistance of 270Ω/sq was obtained in the film corresponding to 1min of ultrasonication, which showed a 40 times lower resistivity than the rGO film (10.93kΩ/sq). The formation mechanisms of the as-prepared AgNPs/rGO films are proposed. This study provides a guide to controlling the dimensions of AgNPs/rGO films, which might hold promise as advanced materials for a range of analytical applications, such as catalysis, sensors and microchips.