Synthesis of silver nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide under microwave irradiation with starch as an ideal reductant and stabilizer

A facile aqueous solution procedure has been developed to synthesize silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) (RGO/Ag NPs) with starch as an ideal reductant and stabilizer in one pot under microwave irradiation. Graphene oxide and Ag(NH3)2+ were reduced simultaneously by starch in the process of forming Ag NPs. The size of Ag NPs decorated on the RGO sheets is about 20–50 nm and the average size of Ag NPs on RGO is 34 nm calculated by X-ray diffraction. RGO and RGO/Ag NPs prepared with starch show good stability in aqueous solution. With the decoration of Ag NPs on RGO, Raman intensity of RGO increased evidently. Antimicrobial activity of RGO/Ag NPs was investigated against the gram negative bacteria Pseudomonous aeruginosa. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of RGO/Ag NPs is 0.2 wt%. The antimicrobial activity of RGO/Ag NPs is stronger than Ag NPs because of the synergic effect of RGO and Ag NPs.