Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Graphene Nanosheets–Gold Nanocomposites with Enhancing Electrochemical Response

Graphene nanosheets–gold (GNS-Au) nanocomposites have been successfully prepared by microwave radiation in aqueous media via a rapid one-step method. The as-obtained nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra, X-ray power diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, Raman spectrum and UV-visible absorption spectra. The results show that Au nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 9.3 nm are densely coated on the surface of graphene nanosheets, which disturbs the van der Waals interactions and prevents graphene nanosheets from approaching each other. Cyclic voltammetry measurements reveal that GNS–Au modified glassy carbon electrode (GNS–Au/GCE) has a greatly enhanced electrochemical response compared with bare GCE and the GNS modified glassy carbon electrode (GNS/GCE), suggesting that the GNS–Au nanocomposites may be a promising nanomaterial for highly sensitive electrochemical sensors.