Constructing a Strong Interfacial Interaction in a Rh/RGO Catalyst to Boost Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution under Visible Light Irradiation

Herein, we implanted the Rh2O3 nanoparticles(NPs) on the surface of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) by a hydrothermalreaction. After sensitized by Eosin Y, the Rh2O3 transferred into metal Rh to construct a strong interaction interfacebetween Rh NPs and RGO. The fabricated Rh/RGO catalyst exhibited highperformance for photocatalytic H-2 evolution under visiblelight irradiation. About 98.1 mmol center dot g(-1)center dot h(-1) H-2 evolution rate was achieved with amaximum apparent quantum efficiency of 79.3% at 520 nm, which wassuperior to that of Rh (13.9 mmol center dot g(-1)center dot h(-1)) and Rh mixed with RGO (32.7 mmol center dot g(-1)center dot h(-1)) catalysts. The enhanced H-2 evolution performance was attributed to the excellent electron conductionability of RGO and the strong interaction between Rh NPs and RGO,which could accelerate the electron transfer and prolong the chargelifetime. In addition, the strong interaction could ensure the stronganchoring to maintain the excellent stability of the Rh/RGO catalyst.Our work will provide an avenue to design high-performance catalystsby fabricating a strong interfacial interaction strategy for photocatalyticH(2) evolution.

Automated summary

In this study, Rh2O3 nanoparticles were implanted on the surface of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) by a hydrothermal reaction. Sensitized by Eosin Y, Rh2O3 was converted into metal Rh, forming a strong interaction interface between Rh NPs and RGO. The fabricated Rh/RGO catalyst showed high performance for photocatalytic H-2 evolution under visible light irradiation, with a H-2 evolution rate of 98.1 mmol center dot g(-1)center dot h(-1) and a maximum apparent quantum efficiency of 79.3% at 520 nm. The enhanced performance was attributed to the excellent electron conduction ability of RGO and the strong interaction between Rh NPs and RGO, which accelerated electron transfer and prolonged charge lifetime. The strong interaction also ensured the strong anchoring and excellent stability of the Rh/RGO catalyst.