Abstract
Few layered graphite oxide (GO) is synthesized from soft graphite using nitric acid as a strong oxidizing agent. The citrate reduction method is used to prepare gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). AuNPs are incorporated in GO with assorted atomic-mass ratios in between 0.02 and 1.0%. The as-prepared AuNPs/GO nanocomposites are thoroughly characterized by micro-Raman spectroscopy (MRS), high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HRXPS), and micro-photoluminescence (MPL). MRS study confirms the presence of a GO-related strain relaxation process arising from sp
2
to sp
3
conformational change in the carbon bonding of the AuNPs/GO. HRXPS studies confirm the presence of CO species in GO samples along with a strong interaction between the two constituents in AuNPs/GO samples. The HRXPS study substantiates electronic transfer from GO to AuNPs constituents during the composite formation. In addition, the intrinsic surface plasmonic mode of AuNPs is also found in AuNPs/GO from the MPL studies. Electrochemical measurements confirm a higher anticorrosive nature of AuNPs/GO-1.0% electrode at fluorine tin oxide conductive glass surface in respect to GO electrode and that is ascribed to the nanocomposites’ 5d
10
6s
1
configuration related lesser catalytic activity. The catalytic activity of AuNPs/GO catalyst nanocomposites upon elimination of hydroxyl radicals formed in an ethanol oxidation system was examined using the electrochemical impedance method. Finally, the prospects of high-performance anticorrosive protective layer applications are also discussed in this paper.
Graphic abstract