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ZnO–TiO2/rGO heterostructure for enhanced photodegradation of IC dye under natural solar light and role of rGO in surface hydroxylation

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Abstract

To overcome the limitations of ZnO as a photocatalyst, the present work reports a ternary nanocomposite (ZnO–TiO2/rGO) with a high photocatalytic activity under direct natural solar light irradiation. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was obtained after bio-reduction of GO using pomegranate peels. Techniques of FE-SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, UV–Vis DRS, Raman and PL were used for characterization purpose. The ternary nanocomposite exhibited a high photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of indigo carmine dye, resulting in an efficiency of 92% within 150 min under sunlight illumination. Accordingly, the hybridization of ZnO with TiO2 and rGO improves light absorption, promotes high separation of photogenerated charges, and solves the photocorrosion drawback of ZnO, leading to a better stability and reusability of the nanocomposite. Particularly, the prepared rGO allowed certain hydrophilicity and a better surface hydroxylation. In view of that, a comprehensive photocatalytic mechanism was proposed and discussed, referred to experiments showing the effect of holes and •OH scavengers. The findings revealed that the developed rGO hybridized with ZnO–TiO2 heterojunction can be a promising candidate for removing environmental contaminations using natural solar light.

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Acknowledgements

Khaoula Kacem acknowledges the University of Sousse for research funding. We also acknowledge Enas Moustafa and Prof. Lluis Marsal for the reusability test. Juan Casanova-Chafer gratefully thanks ICREA ACADEMIA (project: 2018 ICREA ACADEMIA-01-Ajut). Frank Güell acknowledges the financial support of PID2020-116612RB-C32 and MAT2017-87500-P.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Higher School of Sciences and Technology of Hammam, University of Sousse, 4011, Sousse, Tunisia

    Khaoula Kacem & Mohamed Faouzi Nsib

  2. NANOMISENE Laboratory, LR16CRMN01, Centre for Research on Microelectronics and Nanotechnology (CRMN), Technopole of Sousse, B.P 334, 4054, Sousse, Tunisia

    Khaoula Kacem, Sami Ameur & Mohamed Faouzi Nsib

  3. Universitat Rovira i Virgili, MINOS, Avda. Països Catalans, 26, 43007, Tarragona, Spain

    Juan Casanova-Chafer & Eduard Llobet

  4. Research Unit Catalysis and Materials for the Environment and Processes URCMEP, National School of Engineers of Gabes, University of Gabes, University Campus, 6072, Gabes, Tunisia

    Abdessalem Hamrouni

  5. High Agronomic Institute of Chott Meriem, University of Sousse, 4042, Sousse, Tunisia

    Sami Ameur

  6. ENFOCAT-IN2UB, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain

    Frank Güell

Authors
  1. Khaoula Kacem
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  2. Juan Casanova-Chafer
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  3. Abdessalem Hamrouni
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  4. Sami Ameur
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  6. Mohamed Faouzi Nsib
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Correspondence to Mohamed Faouzi Nsib.

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Kacem, K., Casanova-Chafer, J., Hamrouni, A. et al. ZnO–TiO2/rGO heterostructure for enhanced photodegradation of IC dye under natural solar light and role of rGO in surface hydroxylation. Bull Mater Sci 46, 83 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12034-023-02913-7

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