Catalysis Today, Vol.357, 630-637, 2020
Methylene blue decomposition on TiO2/reduced graphene oxide hybrid photocatalysts obtained by a two-step hydrothermal and calcination synthesis
In this work, a series of TiO2/rGO photocatalysts were obtained by hydrothermal method and calcination at 500 degrees C. These nanomaterials were prepared with different content of rGO (1-8 wt. %). The samples were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-VIS/DRS) and surface-enhanced FRaman spectroscopy. The BET specific surface area was also measured. The photocatalytic activity of the photocatalysts was investigated on the basis of methylene blue decomposition under UV-VIS light with high UV intensity. The TiO2/rGO hybrids show enhanced adsorption properties and photocatalytic activity in comparison to references samples. It was found that adsorption plays an important role in methylene blue decomposition due to interactions between methylene blue molecules and aromatic regions from rGO.
Keywords:Photocatalysis;Titanium dioxide;Reduced graphene oxide;Methylene blue decomposition;Methylene blue adsorption