Wet chemical method for synthesizing 3D graphene/gold nanocomposite: catalytic reduction of methylene blue

Highlights: • A novel 3D graphene/gold nanoparticles (3DG/Au NPs) composite was prepared via a green chemistry route. • 3D interlaced graphene framework with hierarchically porous structures was directly formed under hydrothermal condition. • The as-prepared 3DG/Au NPs exhibited an excellent catalytic activity. • 3DG/Au NPs can be potentially used for organic pollutant treatment. • 3DG/Au NPs exhibited an excellent stability for repeated usage. In this paper, a simple and environmentally-friendly approach was reported to synthesize a novel 3D composite of graphene/gold nanoparticles (3DG/Au NPs) in one step. A 3D interlaced framework of graphene, which exhibited hierarchically porous structures, generated directly through the distinct driving force during the hydrothermal growth. Meanwhile, Au NPs with high dispersity, which displayed tunable morphologies, were immobilized on the framework, where the as-prepared graphene was employed as the endogenous reducing agent. Compared with AuNPs, the obtained 3DG/Au NPs exhibited remarkably convenient recyclability and high activity for the reduction of methylene blue which is a kind of organic dye.