This work demonstrates a spontaneous synthesis of metal (Au, Pt, and Ag) enveloped by crystalline graphene-quantum dots (GQDs). Aromatic and functional sp² and sp³ hybridized carbons, within the GQDs shell, play a crucial role upon the synthesis, electronic distribution at the interface, and conductive sites for improving the electrocatalytic response. Au nanohybrids demonstrated two-fold increase in current density with respect to conventional citrate-coated Au nanoparticles. This was attributed to conductive sp²-carbons at the shell and the gain of charge electron density at the surface of Au as demonstrated by DFT calculations.

Abstract

This work demonstrates a spontaneous synthesis of ∼8.0, ∼7.0, and ∼3.0 nm diameter Au, Ag, and Pt cores; respectively, wrapped by as-synthesized crystalline graphene-quantum dots (GQDs). Functional sp²- and sp³-hybridized carbons play a crucial role upon the synthesis, electronic distribution at the interface, and conductive sites for improving the electrocatalytic response. Au nanohybrids (NHs) demonstrated two-fold increase in current density with respect to conventional citrate-coated Au nanoparticles. This was attributed to conductive sp²- hybridized carbons and the gain of charge density at the surface of Au as demonstrated by DFT calculations. Due to the sp³-carbons at the shell, these NHs also behave like simple chemical compounds because they can be precipitated, stored for long periods of time, and redispersed without apparent changes in their properties. The resultant nanocolloids exhibit exceptional stability under harsh conditions. These attributes make them useful NHs with great potential for broad applications.