Functionalization of graphene with metal nanoparticles by pulsed laserinduced synthesis

The functionalization of two-dimensional atomic crystals with tailored
mechanisms is of the greatest interest that enables modifying their optical and
electronic properties for imparting novel functions in realizing the practical
applications. In this framework, the functionalization of graphene sheets with
metal (Au, Ag) nanoparticles is a viable strategy to harnessing their light response
for nonlinear optical (NLO) applications. Herein, we demonstrate a facile method
of laser-assisted functionalization of graphene with the gold/silver nanoparticles
without any chemical reducing agents, which avoids chemical contaminations. The
photocatalytic reduction of gold and silver ions induced with a nanosecond laser
pulses irradiation after reducing GO to graphene crystals in the water and PVA
solution mixture. The morphology, optical and nonlinear optical properties of
graphene-metal nanoparticles are systematically studied. The prepared graphenemetal
nanoparticles exhibited significantly enhanced nonlinear optical response
with low limiting thresholds due to efficient electron/energy migration from metal
nanoparticles to graphene crystals.