A microwave-assisted green and facile route has been developed to disperse sub-6-nm Au–Ag alloy bimetallic nanoparticles on the surface of partially reduced graphene oxide (PRGO). The properties of the resulting materials were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, EDX line scanning, UV–vis spectroscopy, ICP spectrometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The reduction reaction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) was investigated to evaluate the catalytic performance of AuAg–graphene hybrids, and it was found that this unique catalytic system exhibits excellent activity for this reaction. It is hoped that this fast route can be extended to prepare other preferred bimetallic nanoparticle structures with PRGO supports.

•Cu2O–MoS2/graphene composite was successfully prepared by a facile two-step process.•Cu2O–MoS2/graphene shows superior photcatalytic activity for CC bond formation.•Synergetic effects of MoS2 and graphene enhanced the catalytic activity of Cu2O.Visible light driven photoredox catalysis has considered as a sustainable and promising strategy for organic synthesis. Here we report a new composite material consisting of cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanoparticles grown on layered molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and graphene hybrids as a high-performance photocatalyst for CC bond formation reaction. This composite material shows superior stability and reusability. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the novel catalyst is attributed to the synergetic effects of MoS2 and graphene as cocatalysts in the composite, in which graphene serves as an excellent electron transporter, and MoS2 nanosheets provide a source of active sites. This work would open a promising way to design and fabricate the efficient composite photocatalysts for organic synthesis.Download high-res image (103KB)Download full-size image