Synthesis, structural and morphological characterizations of nano-Ru-based perovskites/RGO composites

Highly-dispersed Ru-based perovskites supported on reduced graphene oxide (A-RG) nanocomposites are prepared using different A-metal salts (Sr(NO(3))(2), Ba(NO(3))(2) and Ca(NO(3))(2)). The procedure is based on a redox reaction between the metal precursors and graphene oxide (GO) using two different routes of reaction initiation: through thermal heating or by microwave-assisted heating. The resulting nanocomposites do not require further calcination, making this method less energy-demanding. In addition, no additional chemical reagents are required for either the GO reduction or the metal precursor oxidation, leading to an overall simple and direct synthesis method. The structure and morphology of the as-prepared A-RG (non-calcined) nanocomposites are characterized using various structural analyses including XRD, XPS, SEM/EDX and HR-TEM. Changing metal A in the perovskite as well as the “activation method” resulted in significant structural and morphological changes of the formed composites. SrRuO(3) and BaRuO(3) in combination with RuO(2) are obtained using a conventional combustion method, while SrRuO(3) (~1 nm size) in combination with Ru nanoparticles are successfully prepared using microwave irradiation. For the first time, a microwave-assisted synthesis method (without calcination) was used to form crystalline nano-CaRuO(3).