Green and one-pot synthesis of Co(II) citrate complex nanoparticles/graphene oxide nanocomposites towards photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Herein, Co(II) citrate complex nanoparticles (CoC NPs) were synthesized by a simple protocol and were subsequently immobilized on GO sheets to provide a binary nanocomposite termed as CoC/GO. By conducting direct pyrolysis of citric acid (CA) in the presence of CoC NPs, the self-condensation reaction of CA facilitated in situ construction of the GO support and concurrent grafting of complex NPs onto its as-developing surface. The last step was to investigate the feasibility of using the resulting CoC/GO nanocomposites for visible light-induced water splitting, with the end goal of producing hydrogen gas. At room temperature and without the addition of any exogenous chemicals, the catalytic activity of CoC/GO was boosted to a maximum turnover frequency of 173.99 h-1. This study presents an innovative, simple, cost-efficient, and eco-friendly method for surface modification of GO sheets, which may open up new avenues for the development of versatile GO-based nanomaterials capable of performing optimally in every given scenario.(c) 2023 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, Co(II) citrate complex nanoparticles (CoC NPs) were synthesized and immobilized on GO sheets to form a binary nanocomposite, CoC/GO. The self-condensation reaction of citric acid facilitated the in situ construction of GO support and grafting of complex NPs onto its surface. The resulting CoC/GO nanocomposites demonstrated high catalytic activity in visible light-induced water splitting.