TiO(2)-graphene oxide nanocomposite as advanced photocatalytic materials

BACKGROUND: Graphene oxide composites with photocatalysts may exhibit better properties than pure photocatalysts via improvement of their textural and electronic properties. RESULTS: TiO(2)-Graphene Oxide (TiO(2) - GO) nanocomposite was prepared by thermal hydrolysis of suspension with graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets and titania peroxo-complex. The characterization of graphene oxide nanosheets was provided by using an atomic force microscope and Raman spectroscopy. The prepared nanocomposites samples were characterized by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area and Barrett–Joiner–Halenda porosity, X-ray Diffraction, Infrared Spectroscopy, Raman Spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy. UV/VIS diffuse reflectance spectroscopy was employed to estimate band-gap energies. From the TiO(2) - GO samples, a 300 μm thin layer on a piece of glass 10×15 cm was created. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared layers was assessed from the kinetics of the photocatalytic degradation of butane in the gas phase. CONCLUSIONS: The best photocatalytic activity under UV was observed for sample denoted TiGO_100 (k = 0.03012 h(-1)), while sample labeled TiGO_075 (k = 0.00774 h(-1)) demonstrated the best activity under visible light.