FACILE SYNTHESIS OF WELL DISPERSED AU NANOPARTICLES ON REDUCED GRAPHENE OXIDE

Adriana Marinoiu^1*, Catalin Jianu¹, Claudia Cobzaru², Mircea Raceanu¹, Catalin Capris¹, Amalia Soare¹, Irina Petreanu¹, Elena Carcadea¹

¹National Research and Development Institute for Cryogenics and Isotopic Technologies – ICSI Rm. Valcea, 240050 - Rm. Valcea, Uzinei Street no. 4, P.O. Box Râureni 7, Valcea, Romania;

²“Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection D. Mangeron, 71, 70050, Romania

ABSTRACT

In this paper, a facile synthesis protocol for preparation of gold doped-graphene base materials is presented, and evidenced properties could be inserted in subsequent development of electrode modifications. The relevant characteristics of graphene make it a key component for different applications in the energy domain. However, the use of graphene alone is correlated with some limitations. The introduction of gold nanostructures into graphene base materials provides a hybrid nanocomposite, which minimizes the mentioned limitations by synergistic properties. The paper highlights the well dispersed gold nanoparticle on reduced graphene oxide (AuNPs/ rGrO). The prepared AuNP/rGO has been characterized using different techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and surface area measurement by BET method, and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The performed characterization recommend AuNPs/ rGrO as the substrate for the near future fabrication of electrode for PEM fuel cells.

Keywords: gold nanoparticles, reduced graphene oxide, fuel cell.