Direct Electron Transfer from Upconversion Graphene Quantum Dots to TiO₂ Enabling Infrared Light-Driven Overall Water...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Photocatalysis
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Harnessing infrared light for photocatalytic water splitting is crucial due to its abundance in solar energy.
• Inefficient electron transfer between upconversion materials and semiconductors limits photocatalytic performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design a hybrid material for efficient infrared light-driven water splitting.
• To improve photogenerated electron transfer from graphene quantum dots (GQDs) to TiO2.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a TiO2/graphene quantum dot (GQD) hybrid system with an intimate interface.
• Testing photocatalytic activity under infrared light for overall water splitting.

Main Results:

• The TiO2/GQD hybrid demonstrated efficient photogenerated electron transfer.
• Achieved significant hydrogen (60.4 μmol gcat.-1 h-1) and oxygen (30.0 μmol gcat.-1 h-1) production under infrared light.
• Attained a solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency of 0.80%.

Conclusions:

• The designed hybrid system effectively utilizes infrared light for water splitting.
• Efficient charge transfer is key to enhancing photocatalyst performance under infrared light.
• This work opens new pathways for developing infrared-driven photocatalysts.