Electrocatalytic activity of silver nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide (AgNP@rGO) nanocomposites

Abstract

Silver nanoparticle decorated reduced graphene oxide (AgNP@rGO) nanocomposite was synthesized and its electrocatalytic activity was studied. The synthesized nanocomposite was characterized through Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. FESEM analysis clearly shows the two-dimensional nature of the rGO along with the decoration of Ag NPs on the surface and edges of rGO sheets. The electroactive surface area and the roughness factor of the modified and the blank electrodes were measured by cyclic voltammetry. The AgNP@rGO nanocomposites modified electrode shows greater current response as compared to blank and rGO electrodes. The electroactive surface area of AgNP@rGO was found to be larger (0.014 cm2) as compare to rGO (0.007 cm2) and blank (0.006 cm2) electrodes. The roughness factor calculated for AgNP@rGO modified electrode was measured to be higher (0.166) than that of rGO (0.083) and blank (0.075) electrode.