Introduction of holes into graphene sheets to further enhance graphene–TiO2 photocatalysis activities

Abstract

Holey graphene sheets-involved TiO₂ samples have been successfully prepared using appropriate H₂O₂ to etch carbon sheets during hydrothermal preparation of graphene–TiO₂ composites. Due to the introduction of holes, the permeation ability of these graphene sheets may increase, which is beneficial for light adsorption by the composites and the interactions between reactants. As a result, holey graphene–TiO₂ hybrids exhibit enhanced photocatalytic reduction of nitro-aromatics into the corresponding amino-aromatics compared with that of traditional graphene-involved ones, indicating that holey graphene sheets would be promising graphene derivatives to further optimize the photoactivity of graphene-involved composites.