Graphene sheets, which possess unique nanostructure and a variety of fascinating properties, can be considered
as promising nanoscale building blocks of new composites, for example, a support material for the dispersion
of nanoparticles. Here, we present a general approach for the preparation of graphene-metal particle
nanocomposites in a water-ethylene glycol system using graphene oxide as a precursor and metal nanoparticles
(Au, Pt and Pd) as building blocks. These metal nanoparticles are adsorbed on graphene oxide sheets and
play a pivotal role in catalytic reduction of graphene oxide with ethylene glycol, leading to the formation of
graphene-metal particle nanocomposites. The typical methanol oxidation of graphene-Pt composites in cyclic
voltammograms analyses indicated its potential application in direct methanol fuel cells, bringing
graphene-particle nanocomposites close to real technological applications.