Photoinduced electron charge and discharge of graphene–ZnO nanoparticle assembly

Graphene oxide (GO) serves as a two-dimensional carbon nano-mat to anchor catalyst nanoparticles. We have developed a photocatalyst assembly by anchoring ZnO and Ag nanoparticles on graphene oxide sheets suspended in ethanol. Upon photoirradiation, the electrons are transferred from ZnO to GO to produce reduced graphene oxide (RGO). The ZnO–RGO composites are further decorated with Ag nanoparticles by reducing Ag+ ions quantitatively with excess electrons stored in RGO. Under continuous UV-illumination we observe charging of ZnO nanoparticles as evidenced by the shift in absorption edge. However, no shift in the band edge is seen for ZnO–RGO or ZnO–RGO–Ag composites under UV irradiation indicating the quick discharge of electrons on RGO surface. Such charge–discharge phenomenon on the graphene oxide sheet was further probed by carrying out reduction of methyl viologen. Improved charge separation and selectivity in the reduction process was achieved in these graphene based photocatalytic assemblies.

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► Upon photoirradiation, electrons are transferred from ZnO to graphene oxide (GO).
► Some electrons are used to reduce GO producing reduced graphene oxide (RGO).
► Excess electrons stored in RGO are used in reducing Ag+ ions to Ag nanoparticles.
► We have probed the influence of RGO on the charging–discharging property of ZnO.
► The discharge property of the RGO–ZnO and RGO–ZnO–Ag assemblies has been studied.