Probing the Interaction of Heavy and Transition Metal Ions with Silver Nanoparticles Decorated on Graphene Quantum...

We report a comprehensive study of the interaction of transition and heavy metal ions with graphene quantum dots-capped silver nanoparticles (AgGQDs) using different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy studies show that the interaction of metal ions with AgGQDs leads to the formation of metal oxides, the formation of zerovalent metals, and the aggregation of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs). The metal ions may interact with AgGQDs through selective coordination with -OH and -COOH functionalities, adsorption on the graphene moiety, and directly to AgNPs. For instance, the interaction of Cd²⁺ with AgGQDs altered the spherical shape of AgNPs into a chain-like structure. On the contrary, the formation of PbO is observed after the addition of Pb²⁺ to AgGQDs. Interestingly, the interaction of AgGQDs with Hg²⁺ results in the complete dissolution of Ag⁰ from the surface of GQDs and subsequent deposition of Hg⁰ on the graphene moiety of GQDs. Unlike transition metal ions, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Hg²⁺ can adsorb strongly on the graphene surface at the bridge, hollow, and top sites, respectively. This special interaction of heavy metal ions with the graphene surface would decide the mechanistic pathway in which the reaction proceeds. The transition metal ions Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co³⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Fe³⁺ induced the aggregation of AgNPs.