Electroless deposition of silver particles on graphite nanosheets

A uniform silver film about 50 nm thick was obtained on a graphite nanosheet (GN) surface via an improved electroless plating method. 3-aminepropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) was used as an encapsulator, limiting growth and aggregate formation. Furthermore, APTMS also acted as a coupling agent favoring deposition of silver particles on the GNs. The silver-coated GNs exhibited excellent conductivity up to 106 S m−1, equivalent to silver powder.