Nanostructured Hybrids Based on Tantalum Bromide Octahedral Clusters and Graphene Oxide for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

The generation of hydrogen (H-2) using sunlight has become an essential energy alternative for decarbonization. The need for functional nanohybrid materials based on photo- and electroactive materials and accessible raw materials is high in the field of solar fuels. To reach this goal, single-step synthesis of {Ta6Br12i}@GO (GO = graphene oxide) nanohybrids was developed by immobilization of [{Ta6Br12i}Br-2(a)(H2O)(a)(4)]center dot 4H(2)O (i = inner and a = apical positions of the Ta-6 octahedron) on GO nanosheets by taking the advantage of the easy ligand exchange of the apical cluster ligands with the oxygen functionalities of GO. The nanohybrids were characterized by spectroscopic, analytical, and morphological techniques. The hybrid formation enhances the yield of photocatalytic H-2 from water with respect to their precursors and this is without the presence of precious metals. This enhancement is attributed to the optimal cluster loading onto the GO support and the crucial role of GO in the electron transfer from Ta-6 clusters into GO sheets, thus suppressing the charge recombination. In view of the simplicity and versatility of the designed photocatalytic system, octahedral tantalum clusters are promising candidates to develop new and environmentally friendly photocatalysts for H-2 evolution.

Automated summary

The generation of hydrogen using sunlight has become an essential energy alternative for decarbonization. In this study, a simple synthesis method was developed to immobilize hydroxy groups onto graphene oxide nanosheets, forming nanohybrids that showed enhanced photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production compared to their precursors, without the need for precious metals.