Noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) such as Au and Ag have shown many applications in the field of catalysis, sensing etc. due to their excellent photoelectric properties. But agglomeration and a low recovery rate are big problems for their applications. In this research, a novel Ag NPs/graphene (reduced graphene oxide)-loading loofah sponge (Ag NPs/RGO-LS) was synthesized through a one-step reduction method. Where the RGO is used as a nano-support with the high specific surface area and the high conductivity to prevent the agglomeration of Ag NPs and provide a conductive layer. The natural, green, low-cost and high-yield LS is designed as a macro-support to reduce the loss of Ag NPs during recycling. The as-prepared Ag NPs/RGO-LS is stable, uniform, and exhibits high efficiency and reusability in the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) with a high rate constant of 1.893 min ⁻¹ as well as an average conversion of 98% in 6 min during five cycles. The results have not only paved the way for the wide application of Ag NPs but also provide a new road for the application of other metal NPs.

A novel hybrid of Cu nanoparticles/three-dimensional graphene/Ni foam (Cu NPs/3DGr/NiF) was prepared by chemical vapor deposition, followed by a galvanic displacement reaction in Ni- and Cu-ion-containing salt solution through a one-step reaction. The as-prepared Cu NPs/3DGr/NiF hybrid is uniform, stable, recyclable and exhibits an extraordinarily high catalytic efficiency for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) with a reduction rate constant K = 0.056 15 s ⁻¹ , required time ∼30 s and excellent sensing properties for the non-enzymatic amperometric hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ) with a linear range ∼50 μ M–9.65 mM, response time ∼3 s, detection limit ∼1 μ M. The results indicate that the as-prepared Cu NPs/3DGr/NiF hybrid can be used to replace expensive noble metals in catalysis and sensing applications.

The application of Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) often requires surface modification with chemical surfactants, which dramatically reduce the surface activity and increase the chemical contamination and cost of Au NPs. In this research, we have developed a novel Au NPs/reduced graphene oxide/Ni foam hybrid (Au NPs/RGO/NiF) by in situ reduction through ascorbic acid and replacement reaction. This method is green, facile and efficient. The Au NPs are free of chemical surfactants and are homogeneously distributed on the surface of the RGO/NiF. The as-prepared Au NPs/RGO/NiF hybrid is uniform, stable and exhibits not only a high reduction efficiency for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol with a catalytic kinetic constant of up to 0.46 min ⁻¹ (0.15 cm ³ catalysis) but also a sensitive and selective detection of H ₂ O ₂ with a detection limit of ∼1.60 μ M.