Enhancing the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 and TiO2–SiO2 by coupling with graphene–gold nanocomposites

In the present paper, a novel composite Graphene–Gold (Gr–Au)/TiO 2 –SiO 2 photocatalyst was synthesized and tested for the removal of methylene blue and rhodamine B in water solutions. First, Gr–Au nanoparticle composite was synthesized by simultaneous reduction and deposition of Au nanoparticles o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics 2021-02, Vol.32 (4), p.5082-5093
Main Authors: Chinh, Vu Duc, Bavasso, Irene, Di Palma, Luca, Felici, Anna Candida, Scarsella, Marco, Vilardi, Giorgio, Bracciale, Maria Paola, Van, Nguyen Thuy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aqueous solutions
Catalytic activity
Characterization and Evaluation of Materials
Chemistry and Materials Science
Deposition
Field emission microscopy
Fourier transforms
Gold
Graphene
Infrared spectra
Materials Science
Methylene blue
Nanocomposites
Nanoparticles
Optical and Electronic Materials
Photocatalysis
Photocatalysts
Photodegradation
Reduction
Rhodamine
Silicon dioxide
Spectrum analysis
Synthesis
Titanium dioxide
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Summary:In the present paper, a novel composite Graphene–Gold (Gr–Au)/TiO 2 –SiO 2 photocatalyst was synthesized and tested for the removal of methylene blue and rhodamine B in water solutions. First, Gr–Au nanoparticle composite was synthesized by simultaneous reduction and deposition of Au nanoparticles on Gr surface. The photodegradation of methylene blue and rhodamine B in aqueous solutions was studied using various photocatalysts, including neat TiO 2 –SiO 2 , Gr/TiO 2 –SiO 2 and Gr–Au/TiO 2 –SiO 2 composites. The Gr weight ratio in this research is 2% in the Gr/TiO 2 –SiO 2 composites. Detailed characterization (field emission scanning electron microscope, Raman, Fourier transform infrared spectra and UV–vis absorbance spectroscopy) of such material was conducted. As a result, the uniform deposition of nanometer-sized Au NPs on the graphene sheets was observed. The Gr–Au/TiO 2 –SiO 2 exhibited excellent photocatalytic efficiency because of the reduction of electron–hole recombination. The Gr2%–Au0.1%/TiO 2 –SiO 2 composite had the highest photoactivity.
ISSN:0957-4522
1573-482X
DOI:10.1007/s10854-021-05242-9