Graphene-Metal Particle Nanocomposites

Graphene sheets, which possess unique nanostructure and a variety of fascinating properties, can be considered as promising nanoscale building blocks of new composites, for example, a support material for the dispersion of nanoparticles. Here, we present a general approach for the preparation of graphene-metal particle nanocomposites in a water-ethylene glycol system using graphene oxide as a precursor and metal nanoparticles (Au, Pt and Pd) as building blocks. These metal nanoparticles are adsorbed on graphene oxide sheets and play a pivotal role in catalytic reduction of graphene oxide with ethylene glycol, leading to the formation of graphene-metal particle nanocomposites. The typical methanol oxidation of graphene-Pt composites in cyclic graphene voltammograms analyses indicated its potential application in direct methanol fuel cells, bringing graphene-particle nanocomposites close to real technological applications.