Utilization of MoS2 and graphene to enhance the photocatalytic activity of Cu2O for oxidative CC bond formation

•Cu2O-MoS2/graphene composite was successfully prepared by a facile two-step process.•Cu2O-MoS2/graphene shows superior photcatalytic activity for CC bond formation.•Synergetic effects of MoS2 and graphene enhanced the catalytic activity of Cu2O.

Visible light driven photoredox catalysis has considered as a sustainable and promising strategy for organic synthesis. Here we report a new composite material consisting of cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanoparticles grown on layered molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and graphene hybrids as a high-performance photocatalyst for CC bond formation reaction. This composite material shows superior stability and reusability. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the novel catalyst is attributed to the synergetic effects of MoS2 and graphene as cocatalysts in the composite, in which graphene serves as an excellent electron transporter, and MoS2 nanosheets provide a source of active sites. This work would open a promising way to design and fabricate the efficient composite photocatalysts for organic synthesis.

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