Preparation and characterization of gold-decorated graphite nanosheet composites

Some composites of gold nanoparticles and graphite nanosheets were prepared by electrostatic interaction, and structurally and electrochemically characterized using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UVNis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and cyclic-voltammetry. Pristine graphite was chemically treated using aqueous acid solution, and dispersed inpoly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride aqueous solution to prepare positively charged graphite nanosheets. The gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in this work were stabilized by sodium dodecyl sulfate, poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate), or poly(vinylpyrrolidone). Gold nanoparticles and graphite nanosheet composites with gold nanoparticles showed the characteristic surface plasmon band at -530 nm. The electrochemical properties of the graphite nanosheet composites with gold nanoparticles were studied by cyclic voltammetry, in which reduction potential and reduction current of gold nanoparticles were strongly dependent on the gold-wrapped stabilizer in the composites.