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Enhanced photocatalytic reactivity of nanojunction titania segregated by graphene oxide for decolorization of cationic pollutant and antibacterial applications

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Abstract

A high bandgap of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and a very high electron–hole recombination rate hindered its photocatalytic activity under a wide range of irradiation. Therefore, using nanoconjugate boosted the lifetime of the photogenerated charge carriers by donating an electron-accepting structure. The optimized weight of graphene oxide (GO) can enhance photocatalytic capabilities. Herein, composites of GO/TiO2 (GO 4 and 8wt. %) were produced by hydrothermal technique followed by calcination at 400 °C. As a function of the graphene oxide (GO) concentration, these composites demonstrate photocatalytic solid decomposition of methylene blue (MB) dye under solar irradiation. The samples were analyzed using XRD, SEM, TEM, UV–Vis spectra, FTIR, and XPS. Operating TiO2/GO(8wt.%) treated at 400 °C as a photocatalyst significantly enhanced the photocatalytic degradation of dyes compared to pure TiO2 and/or other prepared samples, resulting in complete degradation of MB 97.8% within 11 min. The GO flakes' higher adsorption/photodegradation capacity and electron transfer capability are attributed to their higher specific surface area (62 m2/g) for this significant improvement in photocatalytic degradation.

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  1. Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Qassim University, Buraydah, 51452, Qassim, Saudi Arabia

    Jawza Sh Alnawmasi

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Alnawmasi, J.S. Enhanced photocatalytic reactivity of nanojunction titania segregated by graphene oxide for decolorization of cationic pollutant and antibacterial applications. Biomass Conv. Bioref. (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-022-03251-0

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