Self-limiting interactions in 2D-0D systems: A case study of graphene oxide and 12-tungstophosphoric acid nanocomposite

In the present study we investigated the interaction between 12-tungstophosphoric acid (WPA) and graphene oxide (GO) in their nanocomposite by utilizing the loading of WPA as an intrinsic parameter for interaction tuning. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, temperature-programmed desorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, zeta-potential measurements, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy methods revealed that similar to 5-13 wt % of WPA represents critical loading that separates two distinct contributions to GO-WPA interaction. This was explained by the self-limiting nature of GO-WPA interaction, initially controlled by high dispersion of WPA on GO (up to 13 wt%), that is eventually overpowered by WPA-WPA interaction as loading increases. As a result, the WPA agglomerates are being formed because of which the hybrid character of the nanocomposite diminishes, i.e., the properties of independent components start to be manifested to greater extent. The obtained results provide an important framework for considering possible outcomes in other 2D-0D systems, whose interaction is relevant both from fundamental and applicative point of view. Thus, the GO/WPA nanocomposite illustrates how the interactions between the components can be used for tuning the properties of nanocomposite as a whole. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.