Reduction of silver nanoparticles onto graphene oxide nanosheets with N,N-dimethylformamide and SERS activities of GO/Ag composites

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have been homogeneously deposited onto graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets by an optimal method, in which N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as a co-dispersant of GO and reductant of sliver ions is added to an aqueous suspension of GO and AgNO3. GO nanosheets are uniformly covered by Ag NPs with a narrow size distribution and inter-particle gap. Raman signals of GO are greatly enhanced after deposition owing to the charge transfer interaction of GO with Ag NPs. The GO/Ag composite can be further utilized as an effective surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active substrate. Several new Raman bands and frequency shifts are clearly observed in using 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) as a Raman probe on GO/Ag compared to the normal Raman spectrum of solid 4-ATP. The Raman enhancement arises from a major electromagnetic effect and a minor chemical effect.