A Conductive Hybridization Matrix of RuO2Two-Dimensional Nanosheets: A Hybrid-Type Photocatalyst

A universal methodology to efficiently improve the photocatalyst performance of semiconductors was developed by employing exfoliated RuO2two-dimensional nanosheets as a conducting hybridization matrix. The hybridization with a RuO2nanosheet is easily achieved by crystal growth or electrostatically derived anchoring of semiconductor nanocrystals on the RuO2nanosheet. An enhanced chemical interaction of inorganic semiconductor with hydrophilic RuO2nanosheet is fairly effective in optimizing their photocatalytic activity and photostability by the enhancement of charge separation and charge mobility. The RuO2-containing nanohybrids show much better photocatalyst functionalities than do the graphene-containing ones. The present study clearly demonstrates that hydrophilic RuO2nanosheets are superior hybridization matrices, over the widely used hydrophobic graphene nanosheets, for exploring new efficient hybrid-type photocatalysts.