RuO2/TiSi2/graphene composite for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen generation under visible light irradiation

A novel composite composed of TiSi2, graphene and RuO2 nanoparticles was fabricated by a one-pot deposition method using reduced graphene oxide (RGO) as a supporting matrix and RuCl3 as the RuO2 precursor. The resulting RuO2/TiSi2/RGO composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra, photoelectrical response and electrochemical impedance spectra. The results indicated that the three components in the composite were effectively contacted, thus facilitating the photogenerated charges transfer and separation through multiple routes. By using the composite as a photocatalyst for visible-light water splitting the average hydrogen production rate could reach 97.5 mmol h(-1) g(-1), which is higher than that from RuO2/TiSi2 and pure TiSi2 systems under the same conditions.