Multifunctional Graphene-ZnO Hybrid
Nanocomposites by Acid-Free Approach
R. Parameshwari,1 K. Jothivenkatachalam, 2 V. Ramakrishnan,3 G.M. Bhalerao4 and
K. Jeganathan1*
1
Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, School of Physics, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli620 024, Tamil Nadu, India
2
Department of Chemistry, Anna University, Tiruchirappalli-620 024, Tamil Nadu, India
3
Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science Education Research, Thiruvananthapuram (IISER-TVM),
Kerala, India
4
UGC-DAE Consortium for Scientific Research (CSR), Kalpakkam Node, Kokilamedu–603 104, TamilNadu, India
Corresponding author’s e-mail: kjeganathan@yahoo.com, Tel.: +91-9944064547; Fax: +91-413-2655734
*
Abstract
Graphene, is presently being one of the widely studied
material with variety of applications due its exceptional
properties. Numerous experiments have been focused to avoid
restacking problem in graphene when it is derived from wetchemical methods. One among them is intercalation of
metal/metal oxide compounds which paves a route for the
evolution of new type of materials namely graphene-based
hybrids. The composition of graphene with other materials
enhances the properties for various hybrid applications.
In general, graphene oxide (GO) is being used as a starting
precursor for any type of graphene-based hybrid materials. It
is well known that the oxidation of graphite deals with some
of toxic acids and oxidizing agents which can be very
hazardous for human health and also highly pollutes the
environment. Here, we have planned to avoid this risky and
time consuming process to prepare graphene-based
nanocomposites.
In this report, the ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) have been
successfully anchored on Graphene nanosheets via a simple
acid-free co-operative self-assembly approach. Here, the
surfactant functionalized graphene is used as precursor instead
of graphene oxide (GO) which circumvents the use of various
toxic acids and chemicals in the preparation of graphene-ZnO
(GZ) nanocomposites. The formation of graphene-ZnO
nanocomposites has been confirmed. The structural and
morphological studies were carried out by XRD, FESEM and
HRTEM techniques. The plausible mechanism behind the
interaction between graphene and zinc oxide NPs has been
investigated. The observation of oxygen vacancy related
defects from µ-Raman, photoluminescence and electron
paramagnetic resonance spectra evidences the interaction
between carbon and zinc through oxygen atom (C-O-Zn) in
GZ-nanocomposites which plays a central role in
multifunctional properties. The interaction of singly ionized
oxygen vacancies (VOS+) with the π-electrons of graphene
through a spin-polarized charge transfer enhances the
ferromagnetic properties in GZ-nanocomposite. The rich
oxygen vacancies in acid-free GZ - nanocomposite drives
superior photocatalytic decay of Rhodamine B dye under
visible light. Further, the proposed risk-free and time saving
simple process could be a feasible candidate for the
preparation of Graphene-metal oxide nanocomposites for
opto-electronics, energy conversion and biological
applications.
Keywords: Graphene-based nanocomposites, Raman,
Photoluminescence, Magnetism, Photocatalytic.
References
[1] R. Parameshwari, P. S. Teja, P. Sangeetha, V.
Ramakrishnan, K. Jeganathan,, “Role of deoxy group on the
High-Concentration of Graphene in Surfactant/Water Media”,
RSC Adv. 3, 2013, 2369–2378
[2] A. Prakash, S.K. Misra, D. Bahadur, “The role of
reduced Graphene oxide Capping on Defect induced
Ferromagnetism of ZnO nanorods”, Nanotechnology, 24,
2013, 095705.