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.