A Photoresponsive azobenzene-graphene-gold nanocomposite using cationic azobenzene-surfactant as stabilizers and its electrochemical behavior

A novel photoresponsive azobenzene-reduced graphene oxide-gold nano particle (Azo-RGO-GNP) nanocomposite was prepared using Gemini-type Azo-surfactants as stabilizers and the electrochemical performance was investigated. The Azo-RGO-GNP nanocomposite features a uniform distribution of GNPs and was fabricated by electrostatic interactions, GNP growth and chemical reduction in one pot. The chemical structure and the photoresponse of the nanocomposite materials were measured by TEM, XRD, XPS, and UV-vis absorption. The electrochemical behavior of the nanocomposite was estimated using cyclic voltammetry. Results show that the Azo-RGO-GNP nanocomposite has the ability of photochemical behavior because of the presence of the Gemini Azo-surfactant stabilizers. Additionally, the electrochemical performance of this nanocomposites can be governed by light irradiation.