The interfacial debonding of graphite lattices using iron (Fe) nanoparticles and Fenton's reagent is reported, towards the scalable production of few-layer graphene flakes. Acoustic cavitation via a sonochemical route was adapted to produce iron and iron oxide nanoparticles in the graphite matrix. The oxygenated species were introduced into the graphite lattice using a physical method, and then Fenton chemistry was utilized to generate localized hydroxyl radicals at the Fe nanoparticle-graphite interfaces for zipping and self-exfoliation of the defected graphite lattices. The functional groups were found to have been introduced predominately at the periphery of the flake, confirming that the lateral dimension of graphene had not been affected, and at the same time, good dispersion in organic solvents had been achieved. Defect engineering could be modulated at the organic-inorganic hybrid interfaces, in order to control the zipping rate and regulate the degree of functionalization and the lateral dimensions of the graphene sheet.
<p class="p1">A comparison of Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) activity of chemically synthesised silver nanostructures with different shapes is reported. The silver nanostructures of cubical, prism and wire like morphology were synthesised using chemical synthesis route and utilised as SERS substrates. The sensors were fabricated by spin coating these materials over a Silicon or glass substrate. The fabricated sensors were used to analyse response with two different analytes, 4-Mercaptobenzoic acid and Rhodamine 6G under different concentrations. The signal enhancement was compared with a silver coated thin film over glass substrate and it was observed that the enhancement of the order of 10<span class="s1"><sup>3 </sup></span>is achieved. The nanowire performed better than the other forms of silver and gave a higher signal enhancement for all the analytes as compared to other nanostructures. The fabricated sensors may be useful for various applications including explosive and biowarfare agent detection.</p>
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