One-step reduction and functionalization protocol to synthesize polydopamine wrapping Ag/graphene hybrid for efficient oxidation of hydroquinone to benzoquinone

Abstract Based on the excellent properties of dopamine (reduction, self-polymerization and adhesion), we designed a one-step and environment-friendly reduction route to synthesize and simultaneously functionalize polydopamine (PDA)–Ag–reduced graphene oxide (RGO) hybrid. The obtained PDA–Ag–RGO hybrid was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, FT-IR and UV–vis analysis. Silver nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed on the surface of RGO sheets and coated with a thin PDA film. The hybrid exhibited good dispersivity in polar solvents (water and acetonitrile). Compared with Ag–RGO hybrid prepared via NaBH 4 reduction and commercial Pd/C catalyst, PDA–Ag–RGO hybrid had better catalytic activity for the oxidation of hydroquinone to benzoquinone in the presence of H 2 O 2 . Moreover, the hybrid still retained superior catalytic activity over multiple cycles.