| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1272139 | International Journal of Hydrogen Energy | 2014 | 9 Pages |
•We have synthesized VS4/graphene composites via a one-step hydrothermal route successfully.•The morphology, structure and interaction between VS4 and graphene are studied by a series of characterization methods.•Graphene accelerates the nucleation during the growth period of VS4.•The photocatalytic properties are tested by water splitting reaction under visible-light irradiation.•We report the formation of C–S bond account for the superior photocatalytic activity of VS4/graphene nanocomposites.
VS4/reduced graphene oxide (VS4/rGO) composites are successfully synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal route. Then their photocatalytic activities are examined by water splitting reaction, and the morphology and structure are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and thermo gravimetric analysis, respectively. It is shown that graphene accelerates the nucleation during the growth period of VS4. Main product is VS4, not VS2. Monoclinic VS4 particles interact with graphene through chemical action. VS4/rGO composites show excellent photocatalytic water splitting activities under visible-light irradiation. This excellent performance is due to the formation of π-conjugated structure, which can transmit electrons from S2p to graphene rapidly. However, composites with excess graphene show poor dispersion, which leads to the best doping ratio of graphene is 5 wt%.
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