A novel strategy for the simultaneous reduction and functionalization of graphene oxide (GO)
was developed using polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAAH) as a multi-functional agent.
The G-O functionalization by PAAH was carried out under basic conditions to catalyze the
epoxide ring opening reaction of G-O with abundant amine groups of PAAH. We found that
G-O was not only functionalized with PAAH but also reduced under the reaction condition.
Moreover, the synthesized PAAH-functionalized G-O sheets were soluble in water and applicable
to the synthesis of nanocomposites with gold nanoparticles.