In situ reduced graphene-based aerogels embedded with gold nanoparticles for real-time humidity sensing and toxic dyes elimination

Hybrid aerogels are promising candidates for energy storage, biosensing, and medical applications, but the conventional fabrication methods, being time-consuming and complex, limit their widespread utilization. The critical issues affecting their functionality include the un-controllable particle dispersity, loading of active materials, and the porosity. We report a simple and efficient method to synthesize in situ reduced Au nanoparticles@graphene (Au@graphene) hybrid aerogel using near-infrared radiation (NIR), resulting the uniform loading of well-dispersed Au nanoparticles (Au-NPs) as well as in situ reduction of graphene oxide (GO) with enhanced conductivity. The concentration of iso-propylacrylamide and GO can be adjusted to control the aerogel pore size during the freeze-drying process. Reduction of HAuCl 4 and GO to high extent under NIR light was confirmed with advanced characterization techniques. Density functional theory based calculations with generalized gradient-corrected functional (GGA/PW91) in the hybrid aerogel system, and dnd basis sets are used for the confirmation of possible interactions between the GO, Au-NPs, and the polymer. The as-designed highly porous and conductive aerogel shows an excellent humidity response (30–97%) and successfully removes the methylene blue pollutant from the aqueous solution to a high extent (90%). Therefore, Au@graphene hybrid aerogel is potentially an exciting candidate for a wide range of applications in the humidity sensing and biomedical disease detection. Graphical abstract