Synthesis, characterization, structural, optical properties and catalytic activity of reduced graphene oxide/copper nanocomposites

This paper reports on the synthesis and use of copper nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide, as separable catalysts for N-arylation of phenylurea with aryl halides under ligand-free and microwave conditions. The catalyst can be recovered and reused several times without significant loss of its catalytic activity. Also, the structural and optical properties are studied. Experimental absorbance spectra are compared with results obtained from the Maxwell-Garnett theory (MGT).