Graphene@Metal Nanocomposites by Solution Combustion Synthesis

Graphene (G) and metal-decorated G nanocomposites are among the most promising materials for a wide variety of practical applications, and, therefore, the development of fast and reliable methods for nanocomposite synthesis is an important task. Herein we report the new fast approach for solution combustion synthesis (SCS) of large-area G-metallic nanocomposites in an air atmosphere. The G-based nanocomposites were obtained by a SCS using copper and nickel nitrates, as well as their stoichiometric mixture as the metal source and citric acid as a fuel and carbon source. The G structures started on the catalytic surface of freshly synthesized metallic nanograins during the combustion process and formed large-area free-standing films due to the high-energy and fast synthesis process. We proposed a mechanism of formation of the G-based nanocomposites. The phase compositions, structural features, and magnetization behavior of G@Cu, G@Ni, and G@CuNi nanocomposites are carefully studied and described. G@metal nanocomposites were studied as a material for the creation of a highly effective sensing element of semiconductor gas sensors.