We demonstrate a simple, one-step synthesis of hybrid gold nanoparticle–graphene oxide nanosheets (Au–GO) through electrostatic self-assembly. This method affords a facile means of controlling the effective concentration of the active Au nanoparticles on the graphene sheets, but also offers the necessary stability of the resulting Au–GO nanostructure for catalytic transformation. Furthermore, this hybrid Au–GO is successfully employed in the catalytic reduction of a series of nitroarenes with high catalytic activity. Through careful investigation of the catalyst, we find the synergistic catalytic effect of Au nanoparticles and GO, further highlighting the significance of hybrid Au–GO nanostructure. Considering the wide potential applications of a two-dimensional graphene sheet as a host material for a variety of nanoparticles, the approach developed here may lead to new possibilities for the fabrication of hybrid nanoparticle–graphene nanosheet structures endowed with multiple functionalities.

We report a facile green approach to the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) on the surface of graphene oxide nanosheets functionalized with mussel-inspired dopamine (GO-Dopa) without additional reductants or stabilizers at room temperature. The resulting hybrid Ag/GO-Dopa exhibits good dispersity and excellent catalytic activity in the reduction of nitroarenes.

Over the past years, the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly has been widely developed as one of the most powerful techniques to prepare multifunctional films with desired functions, structures and morphologies because of its versatility in the process steps in both material and substrate choices. Among various functional nanoscale objects, carbon-based nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes and graphene sheets, are promising candidates for emerging science and technology with their unique physical, chemical, and mechanical properties. In particular, carbon-based functional multilayer coatings based on the LbL assembly are currently being actively pursued as conducting electrodes, batteries, solar cells, supercapacitors, fuel cells and sensor applications. In this article, we give an overview on the use of carbon materials in nanostructured films and capsules prepared by the LbL assembly with the aim of unraveling the unique features and their applications of carbon multilayers prepared by the LbL assembly.

The first example of the encapsulation of living yeast cells with multilayers of GO nanosheets via LbL self‐assembly is reported. The GO nanosheets with opposite charges are alternatively coated onto the individual yeast cells while preserving the viability of the yeast cells, thus affording a means of interfacing graphene with living yeast cells. This approach is expanded by integrating other organic polymers or inorganic nanoparticles to the cells by hybridizing the entries with GO nanosheets through LbL self‐assembly. It is demonstrated that incorporated iron oxide nanoparticles can deliver magnetic properties to the biological systems, allowing the integration of new physical and chemical functions for living cells with a combination of GO nanosheets. magnified image