Formic Acid Reduction of Graphene Oxide for Metal Nanoparticle Anchoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for synthesizing metal nanoparticles using graphene oxide (GO) are not environmentally friendly and often result in nanoparticles that are not directly anchored on the graphene surface, limiting their optical, catalytic, and electrical properties, and are not suitable for conductive materials in transparent electrodes.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of formic acid to reduce graphene oxide and deposit metal ions as nanoparticles on the reduced graphene oxide, forming a metal-containing graphene hybrid composite, which is then used to create a highly conductive and elastic film through a chemical elastomer polymer process, avoiding harmful substance generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If conventional methods (chemical reduction with NaBH4 and HAuCl4) are used to synthesize metal nanoparticles, then metal nanoparticles can be produced, but the process is not environmentally friendly and the nanoparticles are not directly anchored on the graphene surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoiddirect anchoring of metal nanoparticles on graphene surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the reduction of graphene oxide and deposition of metal nanoparticles into a single integrated process. The graphene oxide serves dual purposes: as the reduced graphene matrix and as the platform for metal nanoparticle anchoring. This merging eliminates separate processing steps and ensures direct anchoring while improving environmental friendliness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses formic acid as an intermediary reducing agent that enables both the reduction of graphene oxide and the deposition of metal nanoparticles simultaneously. This intermediary facilitates the direct anchoring of metal nanoparticles on the reduced graphene surface without requiring harmful conventional reducing agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If high concentration of H2SO4 (10 M) is used to prepare small metal nanoparticles, then small nanoparticles can be obtained, but large nanoparticles (50 nm) are obtained when low concentration is used, and the material is not suitable for transparent conductive electrode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenanoparticle size controlVSAvoidsuitability for transparent conductive electrode

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the reduction process by using formic acid instead of concentrated H2SO4. This parameter change enables control over nanoparticle size while producing materials suitable for transparent conductive electrodes, eliminating the need for high acid concentrations that cause unwanted side effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If electrical deposition is performed to prepare composite by integration of GO or rGO with metal nanoparticles, then composite can be formed, but the process complexity increases and environmental friendliness is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomposite formationVSAvoidelectrical deposition process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical deposition mechanisms with a chemical reduction process using formic acid. This substitution simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating complex electrical deposition equipment and procedures while maintaining the ability to form integrated GO-metal nanoparticle composites.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach produces highly conductive and elastic electrodes with high conductivity at various strains, suitable for applications in flexible displays, solar cells, and energy storage devices, while being environmentally friendly.

Implementation Method 1

mixing an acid solution, a metal salt containing a metal ion, and graphene oxide to reduce the metal ion and the graphene oxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReduction: Reduction

Implementation Method 2

depositing the reduced metal ion on the reduced graphene oxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeposition: Deposition (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS10407774B2Metal-containing graphene hybrid composite, and preparing method of the same

Publication Date: 2019.09.10 RES & BUSINESS FOUND SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIV

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a metal-containing graphene hybrid composite, a preparing method of the metal-containing graphene hybrid composite, and a preparing method of a metal-containing graphene hybrid film.