Integrating Co(OH)2 nanosheet arrays on graphene for efficient noble-metal-free EY-sensitized photocatalytic H2 evolution

Abstract

The development of an efficient noble-metal-free cocatalyst is the key to photocatalytic hydrogen production technology. In this study, hierarchical Co(OH)₂ nanosheet array-graphene (GR) composite cocatalysts are developed. With Eosin Y (EY) as a photosensitizer, the optimal Co(OH)₂-10%GR hybrid cocatalyst presents excellent photocatalytic activity with an H₂ production rate of 17 539 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, and the apparent quantum yield for hydrogen production can reach 12.8% at 520 nm, which remarkably surpasses that of pure Co(OH)₂ and most similar hybrid cocatalyst systems. Experimental investigations demonstrate that the excellent photocatalytic activity of Co(OH)₂-GR arises from its unique nanosheet array architecture, which can collaboratively expose rich active sites for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and facilitate the migration and separation of photogenerated charge carriers. It is desired that this study would supply a meaningful direction for the rational optimization of the constitute and structure of cocatalysts to achieve efficient photocatalytic hydrogen generation.