Advances in Graphene/Inorganic Nanoparticle Composites for Catalytic Applications

Abstract

Graphene‐based nanocomposites with inorganic (metal and metal oxide) nanoparticles leads to materials with high catalytic activity for a variety of chemical transformations. Graphene and its derivatives such as graphene oxide, highly reduced graphene oxide, or nitrogen‐doped graphene are excellent support materials due to their high surface area, their extended π‐system, and variable functionalities for effective chemical interactions to fabricate nanocomposites. The ability to fine‐tune the surface composition for desired functionalities enhances the versatility of graphene‐based nanocomposites in catalysis. This review summarizes the preparation of graphene/inorganic NPs based nanocomposites and their use in catalytic applications. We discuss the large‐scale synthesis of graphene‐based nanomaterials. We have also highlighted the interfacial electronic communication between graphene/inorganic nanoparticles and other factors resulting in increased catalytic efficiencies.

Seed-Mediated Synthesis and Catalytic ORR Reactivity of Facet-Stable, Monodisperse Platinum Nano-Octahedra

“…In this way, very clean facets, a fundamental prerequisite for later electrocatalytic performance, could be obtained. 55 Table 1 summarizes the physicochemical conditions necessary to achieve shape control and the effects on the synthesis of the various parameters tested. Overall, this is the first time that the role of the single-crystal nature of the Pt seeds together with the anisotropic shape has been highlighted, clearly imaged, and linked to the growth mechanism resulting in the formation of octahedral pure Pt nanocrystal shape.…”

Three-Dimensional Reduced Graphene Oxide Hybrid Nano-Silver Scaffolds with High Antibacterial Properties

“…As schematically illustrated in Figure 1 and Supplementary Materials Figure S2 , a 3D reduced graphene oxide (3D rGO) scaffold was synthesized through a modified hydrothermal process followed by a freeze-drying process [ 29 ]. To obtain 3D reduced graphene oxide (rGOA), the first step was to use a modified Hummer’s process to synthesize graphene oxide (GO) [ 27 ]. Then, the GO dispersion was mixed with ethane diamine (EDA) at a volumetric ratio of 5 vol.% and dispersed several times with an ultrasonic homogenizer until the mixture became water like.…”

“…The antibacterial properties and related mechanisms of graphene materials have been recognized by many scholars, who discovered that an effective way to inactivate bacteria is ensuring direct contact between the sharp edges of the nano-walls and bacteria to damage the cell membrane and change its permeability [ 25 , 26 ]. More importantly, graphene- or graphene oxide-loaded metal nanoparticles can maximize the synergistic effect of antibacterial activity and achieve better properties [ 27 ], for example AgNPs. Chen et al [ 28 ] decorated graphene oxide sheets with AgNPs and showed that nanocomposites have better antibacterial activity than AgNPs.…”

Recent Trends in Sustainable Solar Energy Conversion Technologies: Mechanisms, Prospects, and Challenges

“…In this process, these materials can also act as a better active site for the reduction of a proton, i.e., holes to generate H 2 fuel. Besides metal or alloy nanomaterials, metal-oxide-based nanoparticles have also been explored for charge carrier separation. , Another key approach to minimize the recombination of photoexcited electrons and holes is the formation of a nanocomposite of photocatalyst semiconductors with carbon-based materials, especially graphene or its assemblies with other conjugated nanomaterials. − As a result of the high number of electron mobility in these conjugated frameworks, the photoexcited electron easily transferred from the CB of the semiconductor to graphene or other conjugated frameworks and can be efficiently separated from the photocatalyst surface. − …”