TiO2-graphene nanocomposites. UV-assisted photocatalytic reduction of graphene oxide

ACS Nano. 2008 Jul;2(7):1487-91. doi: 10.1021/nn800251f.

Abstract

Graphene oxide suspended in ethanol undergoes reduction as it accepts electrons from UV-irradiated TiO(2) suspensions. The reduction is accompanied by changes in the absorption of the graphene oxide, as the color of the suspension shifts from brown to black. The direct interaction between TiO(2) particles and graphene sheets hinders the collapse of exfoliated sheets of graphene. Solid films cast on a borosilicate glass gap separated by gold-sputtered terminations show an order of magnitude decrease in lateral resistance following reduction with the TiO(2) photocatalyst. The photocatalytic methodology not only provides an on-demand UV-assisted reduction technique but also opens up new ways to obtain photoactive graphene-semiconductor composites.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Crystallization / methods*
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Graphite / radiation effects
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
  • Macromolecular Substances / radiation effects
  • Materials Testing
  • Molecular Conformation / radiation effects
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / radiation effects
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure*
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Oxidation-Reduction / radiation effects
  • Oxides / chemistry
  • Oxides / radiation effects
  • Particle Size
  • Photochemistry / methods
  • Surface Properties / radiation effects
  • Titanium / chemistry*
  • Titanium / radiation effects
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Oxides
  • titanium dioxide
  • Graphite
  • Titanium