Synthesis of dendrimer stabilized high-density silver nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide for catalytic and antibacterial properties†

Abstract

Immobilization of metal nanoparticles (MNPs) with high density on a solid support is a crucial approach for their facile recovery and to counter aggregation problems. We have developed a simple technique by mediating the Diels–Alder “click reaction” using a deep eutectic solvent (DES) system. In this method, maleic anhydride (MA) was first covalently grafted onto the surface of reduced graphene oxide (rGO), which is further utilized as a seeding platform to grow dendrimers through the consecutive reactions of ethylenediamine (EDA) and MA. Finally, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were deposited in high density onto the dendrimers through visible light photoreaction. This method has excluded the use of harmful chemicals and an external reductant for the functionalization of rGO and deposition of AgNPs, respectively. Moreover, we have investigated the effect of dendrimers’ chain branching on the loading of AgNPs and evaluated their compound influence on the nitro-reduction reaction and antibacterial properties.