Photocatalytic synthesis of aniline from nitrobenzene using Ag-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite

Abstract

We used a UV-irradiation reduction method to prepare Ag-reduced graphene oxide (RGO) composite by reducing graphite oxide and silver ion in ethanol. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), UV-vis absorption spectrophotometry (UV-vis), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterized the prepared samples. Ag-RGO nanocomposite was tested for reduction of nitrobenzene to aniline under visible light. The Ag-RGO nanocomposites have a high efficiency to convert nitrobenzene to aniline under visible-light irradiation. Therefore, Ag-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite can be used as a photocatalyst for organic synthesis. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.