Ultrasonically aided selective stabilization of pyrrolic type nitrogen by one pot nitrogen doped and hydrothermally reduced Graphene oxide/Titania nanocomposite (N-TiO2/N-RGO) for H2 production

Herein, we report the simultaneous doping of nitrogen on TiO₂ and reduced graphene oxide (N-TiO₂/N-RGO) with exclusive stabilization of pyrrolic type nitrogen on RGO network by ultrasonic conditions followed by hydrothermal method for efficient photocatalytic H₂ production. Interestingly, during synthesis of N-TiO₂/N-RGO composite, pyrrolic type nitrogen in RGO has been exclusively stabilized as confirmed by XPS analysis. The exclusive stabilization of pyrrolic nitrogen changed the optical and electronic properties of N-TiO₂/N-RGO nanocomposites by giving two π-electrons to the system for extended conjugation, which enhanced the optical absorption and charge carrier separation efficiency as confirmed by UV-Vis DRS and PL studies. Notably, N-TiO₂/N-RGO nanocomposite demonstrated. This enhanced photocatalytic activity can be ascribed to synergetic action of N-TiO₂ and N-RGO in optical and photogenerated charge carrier separation. Moreover, the plausible mechanism for exclusive stabilization of pyrrolic type nitrogen and enhanced photocatalytic activity were also proposed.