Synthesis of graphene oxide sheets decorated by silver nanoparticles in organic phase and their catalytic activity

The graphene oxide(GO) sheets decorated by Ag nanoparticles were prepared using a liquid–liquid two-phase method at the room temperature. The synthesized samples existed in the organic phase and were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, UV–vis spectroscopy and Raman spectra. The results demonstrate that these silver-nanoparticles with diameter of about 10 nm assembled on graphene oxide sheets are flexible and can form stable suspensions in organic phase. Raman signals of graphene oxide sheets are increased by the attached silver nanoparticles, displaying higher surface-enhanced Raman scattering activity. Furthermore, Ag/GO are found to serve as effective catalysts to activate the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4NP) in the presence of NaBH4.

► Ag/GO (graphene oxide) was prepared using a liquid–liquid two-phase method.
► The synthesized samples existed in the organic phase.
► Ag/GO can serve as catalysts to activate the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4NP).