Dynamic energy transfer in non-covalently functionalized reduced graphene oxide/silver nanoparticle hybrid (NF-RGO/Ag) with NF-RGO as the donor material

Non-covalent functionalization of reduced graphene oxide has been shown to stabilize its dispersion and solubility in different solvents without destruction on the graphene sheet network. We herein report a simple and efficient strategy for the preparation of non-covalently functionalized reduced graphene oxide/silver nanoparticle hybrid (NF-RGO/Ag) in which non-covalent functionalized reduced graphene oxide (NF-RGO) acted as donor material. Graphite oxide functionalized with 1-pyrenecarboxylic acid and silver nitrate (AgNO₃) were reduced by hydrazine hydrate to produce NF-RGO/Ag hybrid. The structure and morphology of NF-RGO and NF-RGO/Ag hybrid were respectively characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, EDAX and TEM while the luminescence properties were studied using photoluminescence spectroscopy and time domain fluorescence spectroscopy. The luminescence spectroscopy revealed that the photoluminescence quenching observed in the NF-RGO/Ag hybrid is due to an unusual dynamic energy transfer from NF-RGO to silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs).This finding leads to a better understanding of photoluminescence quenching of NR-RGO by Ag-NPs and suggests that NF-RGO/Ag hybrid has great potential in various applications such as solar cells, water splitter, photothermal and photochemical applications.