Bi2Se3 nanosheets hybridized with reduced graphene oxide for enhanced photoelectrochemical activity

In this report, two-dimensional (2D) bismuth selenide (Bi2Se3) nanosheets (NSs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) (Bi2Se3/rGO) composites have been prepared via a hydrothermal method. The microstructures and morphology properties of Bi2Se3/rGO composites were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectra, indicating a well prepared and high crystalline material. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) tests demonstrate that Bi2Se3/rGO heterojunction exhibits enhanced photocatalytic performance of the pure Bi2Se3, which is about five times higher than Bi2Se3 NSs, which is because rGO acts as a conduction pathway, resulting in efficient separation of photogeneration of electron–hole pairs on the Bi2Se3/rGO composites. The as-prepared composite provides a novel insight in the field of photocatalysis.