N-doped three-dimensional graphene aerogel with a high loading of Ag particles as an efficient catalyst and antibacterial agent

In this work, N-doped three-dimensional graphene aerogel with different weight of Ag particles (N-GA/Ag) was successfully prepared by a one-step solvothermal method. The characterization proved the successful doping of N and the weaken bonds between N atoms and Ag particles. The scanning electron microscopy images showed that the sizes of Ag particles were 10-50 nm at optimal load. Serving as water treated materials for 4-nitrophenol (4NP), the N-GA/6Ag composite exhibited that its high catalytic reduction capacity in the presence of NaBH4 reached at 98% within 4 min and the bactericidal performance for E. coli could achieved 100% inactivation rate in 24 h. This work also calculated surface atomic densities of exposed main planes of Ag particles, which were relative to the catalytic performance. The catalytic activity of the {111} crystal planes was lower than that of {100} planes in Ag particles.

Automated summary

In this study, N-doped three-dimensional graphene aerogel with different weight of Ag particles (N-GA/Ag) was successfully prepared and exhibited excellent catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol and bactericidal performance against E. coli. Surface atomic densities of exposed main planes of Ag particles were calculated and found to be related to the catalytic activity, with the {111} crystal planes showing lower catalytic activity compared to {100} planes.