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Excellent photocatalytic activity of titania–graphene nanocomposites prepared by a facile route

  • Original Paper: Sol-gel and hybrid materials for energy, environment and building applications
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Abstract

Herein, we have presented a facile route for the in situ preparation of titania–graphene nanocomposites having excellent photocatalytic activity. Titania sol is incorporated into graphene oxide sheets, and the resultant mixture is solvothermally treated to attain titania-reduced graphene oxide composites without the use of any additional reducing agents. The well alignment of the anatase titania nanoparticles over individual graphene layers was confirmed using various characterization techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The photocatalysts showed complete degradation of methyl orange within short duration of UV irradiation. The best catalyst, with TiO2 nanoparticles dispersed over 2 wt% graphene sheets, showed remarkable reusability where the activity remained unaffected till four repeated cycles. The facile method of preparation, graphene oxide reduction without the aid of any reducing agent, excellent photodegradation of methyl orange within short duration and reusability of the catalyst are the foremost attractions of present photocatalysts.

Graphical Abstract

Facile fabrication of titania–graphene nanocomposites, for the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye, is achieved under mild conditions.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge UKM, Grant Number AP-2012-008 UKM, for financial support and FST, CRIM, IMEN and FCI for material analysis. Silija Padikkaparambil thanks UGC, New Delhi, India, for the fellowship under the scheme “Post-Doctoral Fellowship for SC/ST students.”

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

    Anila Gopalakrishnan & Zahira Yaakob

  2. Department of Chemistry, Sree Neelakanta Government Sanskrit College, Pattambi, Palakkad, Kerala, 679306, India

    Narayanan N. Binitha, P. Mohammed Akbar & Silija Padikkaparambil

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  1. Anila Gopalakrishnan
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  2. Narayanan N. Binitha
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Correspondence to Zahira Yaakob.

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Gopalakrishnan, A., Binitha, N.N., Yaakob, Z. et al. Excellent photocatalytic activity of titania–graphene nanocomposites prepared by a facile route. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 80, 189–200 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-016-4058-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-016-4058-4

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