ZnO/Graphene Composites: Synthesis, Characterization and Optical Properties

Abstract

ZnO/graphene composites has been synthesized using a one-pot hydrothermal method at moderate temperature of 90°C. Hydrothermal growth was done in an aqueous solution consisting of 20 mL graphene oxide (GO) solution (0.25 mg/mL) with equimolar of zinc acetate [ZAc, Zn (CH 3 COO) 2 ·2H 2 and hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA, C 6 H 12 N 4 ). The as-synthesized composites was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The results of the characterization indicate that GO was reduced to graphene in the growth process, while ZnO in the form of quantum dots (QDs) or nanoparticles embedded in the graphene sheet. The composites synthesized by this method will have potential applications in bioimaging, gas sensing, optoelectrical materials and devices. The photoluminescence (PL) of the conposites was also investigated.