Eco-friendly synthesized few layered graphene: main physico-chemical nanocharacterizations for optical quenching applications

Abstract

The importance of green process in the synthesis of nanomaterials becomes universally known. In this study, we report on the efficiency of Aspalathus linearis's plant extract known as Rooibos tea on the synthesis of graphene via a bio-active process. Using several nanocharcterization techniques, our investigations on the main physico-chemical properties confirmed the ability of this plant extract as a reducing and capping agent on performing an effective reducing process leading to a wide and flat FLrGO sheets without folds along their length and of a mean size of 265 nm. Furthermore, this eco-friendly cost-effective process allows the control and modulation of the optical and the electrical properties of the prepared graphene. Moreover, this material was positively tested as silver NPs fluorescence quencher. Hence, Rooibos shows its ability as an effective chelating agent in the production of graphene sheets which serves electronic and optoelectronic related quenching applications.