3D crumpled RGO-Co3O4 photocatalysts for UV-induced hydrogen evolution reaction

• 3D crumpled RGO-Co3O4 nano hybrids were synthesized via a facile solution method.
• The high temperature calcined sample exhibited the highest photocurrent density.
• 500 °C calcined sample showed excellent durability even after 1000 cycles.

Three dimensional (3D) crumpled reduced graphene oxide (RGO)-Co3O4 nanohybrids were synthesized via a novel and facile solution method for use in UV-induced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The synthesized RGO-Co3O4 was calcined at a temperature from 300 °C to 500 °C to examine the effect of calcination on its HER activity. The 500 °C-calcined 3D-crumpled RGO-Co3O4 exhibited the highest photocurrent density under UV illumination due to the improved interfacial hole transfer and suppressed electron recombination. In addition, it also showed excellent durability even after 1000 cycles in acidic solution.