Visible Light Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue and Malachite Green Dyes with CuWO4-GO Nano Composite

Abstract

Copper Tungstate-Graphene Oxide nano composites have been successfully applied as excellent catalysts for the photocatalytic degradation with Methylene blue and Malachite green dyes under visible light irradiation. A facile solid state metathesis synthesis of copper tungstate (CuWO4) followed by ball milling and subsequent preparation of copper tungstate-graphene oxide (CuWO4-GO) nano composite using a colloidal blending process and its application as a visible light photocatalyst for the degradation of Malachite green and Methylene blue dyes. The morphology and composition of copper tungstate (CuWO4) nano composite have been characterized using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), UV-Visible Diffuse Reflectance Spectra (UV-DRS), Raman Spectra, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM)-EDS and UV Visible Spectroscopy. It shows a band gap value of 2.13 eV, an increase in range and intensity of light absorption and the reduction of electron-hole pair recombination in CuWO4 with the introducing of GO on to it.