The reduced graphene oxide (RGO) was prepared by the reduction of graphite oxide (GO) under alkaline conditions. 4-(N,N-Diphenylamine) benzyl alcohol functionalized graphene (TPACH₂OH-RGO) were formed by stirring the mixture of TPACH₂OH and RGO at room temperature. Density functional method (DFT) studies show that hydrogen bond is present between TPACH₂OH and RGO in TPACH₂OH-RGO. The structure and photoelectric properties of TPACH₂OH-RGO conjugate were investigated by using ultraviolet-visible spectra (UV-vis), Raman spectra (Raman), fluorescence spectra (Fl), atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electrochemical method. The TPACH₂OH-RGO conjugate was employed as a photocatalyst for H₂ generation from water under ultraviolet-visible light illumination. The experiment results indicated that electron transfer occurred from the excited-state of TPACH₂OH to RGO. When the mass ratio of TPACH₂OH to RGO is 4/3, the total amount of H₂ evolved from the TPACH₂OH-RGO system at pH 6 after 6 h irradiation was 35.0 mmol, which is higher than that produced from the RGO (20.4 mmol).

Key words: graphene, 4-(N,N-diphenylamine) benzyl alcohol, electron transfer, photocatalysis, hydrogen