Abstract
Synthesis of graphene doped silicon nanoparticles is important for many applications such as energy storage materials for lithium ion batteries and super capacitors. In this letter, we provide a simple, cost effective, and scalable thermal method to get a uniformly distributed spherical silicon nanoparticles within reduced graphene oxide. The distribution and morphology of the composites were investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) measurements. Different concentrations (0.025%, 0.05% and 0.1%) of silicon/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) have been synthesized using hydrothermal technique. C8H20 O4Si was used as Si aqueous source which dispersed in graphene oxide solution. Si nanoparticles act as a spacer that prevent the stacking of graphene sheets, and the generated volumetric strain of silicon can be accommodated by graphene. The structure was evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Meanwhile, the existed function groups were assigned using Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectra. Raman measurement confirmed the successful formation of graphene doped silicon nanocomposite. The increment in the generated defects within the graphene sheets as the silicon contents increase, provides a clear indication that silicon nanoparticles were anchored in the graphene nano sheets.