Enhanced photocatalytic performance of chemically bonded SiC-graphene composites for visible-light-driven overall water splitting

Chemically bonded SiC-graphene composites were prepared by a chemical grafting method. The Si-C bonds between SiC and graphene can form a heterojunction interface. The chemical bonding and the heterojunction interface are beneficial to the quick transfer of photogenerated electrons from SiC to graphene and thus avoiding the recombination with holes. As a result, the composites show an enhanced activity (more than 90%) for photocatalytic splitting of water under visible light irradiation. Copyright (C) 2013, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.