Two-step synthesis of Ag@GQD hybrid with enhanced photothermal effect and catalytic performance

A novel Ag@GQD (graphene quantum dot) hybrid fabricated by a facile two-step strategy is presented: the GQDs are prepared by citrate acid and AgNO3 is reduced. Catalytic studies showed that the Ag@GQD hybrid exhibited excellent photothermal effect and catalytic performance for 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) reduction, suggesting that the GQDs enhanced the catalytic activity via a synergistic effect and the Ag NPs boosted the catalytic efficiency through SPR-mediated photothermal local heating.