N-doped TiO2-quantum dots tightly anchored on graphene with superior interfacial contact via C–Ti bond

A novel composite of N-doped TiO 2 -quantum dots tightly anchored on graphene (denoted as N-doped TiO 2 -QDs@GP) with superior interfacial contact via C–Ti bond was synthesized via the simple one-pot vapor-thermal method. The as-obtained N-doped TiO 2 -QDs@GP includes TiO 2 QDs with an average size of 3.28 nm uniformly distributed on the surface of GP. The large specific area and superior interfacial contact via C–Ti bond ensured its potential photocatalytic application. Except for the effective interfacial charge transfer achieved via C–Ti chemical bond between TiO 2 QDs and GP, its enhanced visible light absorption and larger oxygen vacancy ratio also make contributions. Electron spin resonance spectra (ESR) were used to study the photocatalytic mechanism, which proved the participation of both superoxide radical (·O 2 − ) and hydroxyl radical (·OH) in the photocatalytic reactions. This work provides a promising one-pot method for constructing intimately contacted N-doped TiO 2 /GP composite with superior interfacial contact via C–Ti bond and excellent photocatalytic activities.