TiO2 Nanocrystals Decorated CVD Graphene Based Hybrid for UV-Light Active Photoanodes

In this work, the manufacturing and characterization of an optically transparent and UV-Iight photoactive anode, formed of monolayer graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and decorated with a close packed multHayered nanostructured layout of colloidal TiOz nanocrystals (NCs), are reported. The hybrid material has been prepared by a facHe solution-based procedure, which relays on soaking the CVD graphene in a solution of I-pyrene butyric acid (PBA) surface coated Ti02 NCs, achieved upon implementation of a capping exchange process for displacing the pristine organic ligand deriving from the colloidal synthesis. Pyrene undergoes 'It- 'It stacking interactions, anchoring the NCs to the platform with retention of the NC geometry and composition. The NCs immobilize onto the graphene platform with preservation of its aromatic structure and the resulting hybrid has been found optically transparent in the visible spectral range. (Photo)electrochemical investigation shows that the composite material has a promising sensitivity for selectively detecting dopamine and norepinephrine and, concomitantly, exhibits a (photo)electric activity higher than that of bare graphene. Thus, the achieved hybrid material results interesting for the manufacturing of photo-active components to integrate in photorenewable sensor elements along with photodetectors and solar cells