Abstract

In this communication, we develop a relatively green, and environment friendly route for the synthesis of Au nanostructures on tannic acid (TA)-functionalized graphene oxide (GO) using TA as a reducing and immobilizing agent. The morphologies of Au nanostructures can be controlled by the amount of HAuCl4 used. The resultant Au nanostructures/GO nanocomposites exhibit good catalytic activity toward 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) reduction and the GO supports also enhance the catalytic activityvia a synergistic effect.