Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocomposites Based on Carbon Materials and Transitional Oxides

Abstract

Nanostructured materials in the biomedical field are commonly used for diagnostics, drug delivery, therapy activation and monitoring therapeutic responses in real-time, thus maximizing the therapeutic benefits simultaneously with a minimally invasive effect and low toxicity. Electrochemical analysis and, implicitly, the development of materials for biosensors have become of vital importance for the monitoring of biomolecules. The conductivity of nanocomposites is usually determined by characteristics related to the concentration, size and dispersion of the nanoparticles. Generally, graphene’s high surface energy and strong interactions moderate its uniform compatibility with different media. In the present paper, we propose the synthesis of yttrium oxide nanoparticles for developing nanocomposites based on transition oxides and carbon materials for electrochemical applications. The precipitation method was used to obtain nanostructured Y2O3. The Hummer method was used for the synthesis of graphene material. After the activation step of the Y2O3 surface, the ex-situ method was chosen to obtain the nanocomposites, allowing the insertion of oxide nanoparticles into the sheets of carbon materials. The developed materials were studied from a structural point of view using Raman and FTIR spectroscopy. The surface morphology, particle size and distribution of nanoparticles in the carbon material were studied using a field emission scanning electron microscope. The goniometric studies followed the wetting and percolation capacity of the nanocomposite.

Keywords

• carbon materials
• transitional oxides
• Y₂O₃
• graphene
• nanocomposites
• RGO-Y₂O₃