Functionalization of TiO2 with graphene quantum dots for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

•Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) served as a novel solid-state electron transfer reagent in the Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution.•GQDs were an efficient electron reservoirs anchored on TiO2.•GQDs acted as an excellent photosensitizer to sensitize TiO2.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) serve as a novel solid-state electron transfer reagent anchored on TiO2 by in situ photo-assisted strategy and greatly enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution activity in methanol aqueous solution without the noble mental cocatalyst. The excellent photocatalytic activities were ascribed to the GQDs which act as an excellent electron transporters and acceptors, as well as photosensitizer. GQDs not only acted as efficient electron reservoirs and a solid-state electron transfer reagent from the conduction band of TiO2 to GQDs, but also acted as an excellent photosensitizer to sensitize TiO2, in which the photoinduced electrons transfer from excited GQDs to TiO2 to produce H2. In addition, GQDs is nanoscale fragments of graphene which can provide a larger active surface and greatly increase the contact area with the TiO2, which is conducive to rapidly transfer photo-generated electrons due to the large specific area and high carrier mobility of GQDs. Thus, GQDs improved the photocatalytic activity for H2 evolution.

Graphical abstractGraphene quantum dots (GQDs) serve as a novel solid-state electron transfer reagent anchored on TiO2 greatly enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution activity. The excellent photocatalytic activities were ascribed to the GQDs which not only serve as efficient electron reservoirs and a solid-state electron transfer reagent to accelerate the electron transfer from the conduction band of TiO2 to GQDs, but also act as an excellent photosensitizer to sensitize TiO2, in which the photoinduced electrons transfer from excited GQDs to TiO2 to produce H2.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide