Synthesis of reduced graphene oxide and enhancement of its electrical and optical properties by attaching Ag nanoparticles

Highlights: • r-GO–Ag-NP composite has been synthesised. • The electrical conductivity of r-GO increased almost 10 times on attachment of Ag-NPs. • The free charge carrier concentration increased 5 fold. • The transmittance of r-GO also improved to almost 90% after attachment of ag nanoparticles. Graphene has attracted the attention of the scientists and researchers because of its peculiar properties. Because of various unique properties, graphene can be used in sensing device applications, solar cells and liquid crystal display devices etc. In this research paper, we present a chemical route towards bulk production of r-GO (reduced graphene oxide). We have employed a modified method to achieve better results which is often termed as modified Hummer's and Offeman method. It is modified in terms of filtration technique. We have also attached silver nanoparticles (Ag-NP) to as synthesised r-GO. After successful growth, silver nanoparticles have been attached to r-GO by suitable treatment with AgNO₃ (aq.) N/50 solution. The as grown samples were characterised by FESEM, Raman Spectroscopy and EDS to make sure that r-GO and r-GO–Ag-NP have been successfully synthesised. The electrical and optical studies of the as grown samples were performed by dc conductivity measurements and UV visible spectroscopy. The conductivity was found to have increased with attachment of Ag-NP. The optical transmittance also improved to 90% as against 70% before Ag-NP attachment. The reduced graphene oxide attached with silver nanoparticles could find promising applications in synthesis of transparent electrode materials and optoelectronic devices.