Graphene oxide chemically decorated with hybrid Ag-Ru/chitosan nanoparticles: fabrication and properties

Hybridization of distinct materials into a single nanoplatform is relevant to advance material’s properties for functional application such as biosensor platform. We report the synthesis and characterization of nanosheets of graphene oxide decorated with hybrid nanoparticles of silver-ruthenium bipyridine complex (Ag@[Ru(bpy)3] ) core and chitosan shell. Hybrid nanoparticles were first obtained through a sequential wet-chemical approach using in situ reduction, electrostatic and coordination reaction. Oxygenated functional groups of graphene oxide and abundant amine groups of chitosan layer on the surface of hybrid nanoparticles allowed the functionalization reaction. Changes in intrinsic optical, chemical and structural properties of graphene oxide due to hybrid nanoparticles were studied in depth using spectroscopic techniques and an electron microscope. Electrodes modified with nanosheets of graphene oxide-hybrid nanoparticles retain the biocompatibility and displayed an amplified redox property suitable for a broad range of sensing studies.