Microwave synthesis of Silver-Graphene Oxide nanocomposite for determination Of mercury ion (Hg2+)

Mercury can be found in water, air and soil and known to be poisonous and will affect the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs and immune system. Due to the harmful effect of mercury, an action is required to detect and measure the level of Hg2+ ion. This study is aimed to synthesis silver-graphene oxide nanocomposite using microwave irradiation for the determination of mercury ion (Hg2+) using spectrophotometry. A microwave irradiation method has been reported to be a rapid process to synthesis Ag NPs. It acts as an external force that facilitates the attachment of AgNPs on GO surface. Microwave irradiation method requires lower energy consumption to be compared with other conventional heating method. Silvergraphene oxide nanocomposite was characterized using UV-visible absorption spectra, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and also Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).The colour changes of the nanocomposite solutions were observed during the determination of Hg2+ which can be seen with bare eyes. The UVVis result showed the presence of the nanocomposite materials in the solution while the FTIR analysis showed the GO was partially reduced during the synthesis of AgGO. XRD and SEM results of AgGO showed the existence of Ag nanocomposite on the graphene sheets through the diffraction pattern and also the image of SEM, respectively.