Copper phthalocyanine@graphene oxide as a cocatalyst of TiO2 in hydrogen generation

Hydrogen is among the most commonly discussed types of novel energies since it generates high energy in a green manner. Thus, hydrogen production under visible light has been studied with a novel hybrid catalyst including copper(II) phthalocyanine (CuPc) supported on graphene oxide (GO) and TiO2 in a pathway involving formic acid degradation. The homogenous distribution of CuPc on GO has been obtained through synthesis of CuPc in the presence of GO. CuPc@GO carried out the decomposition reaction of formic acid in the presence of TiO2 to afford H2 with TOF of up to 79 h−1 at room temperature. The catalyst indicated 103% and 39% enhancements in H2 generation compared to CuPc/TiO2 and CuPc@GO, respectively. [Display omitted] •Hydrogen production under visible light.•A novel hybrid catalyst of copper(II) phthalocyanine (CuPc) supported on graphene oxide (GO) and TiO2.•Formic acid degradation with high efficiency.•Homogenous distribution of CuPc on GO.•Decomposition reaction of formic acid toward H2.