Facile synthesis of graphene oxide-nano titania composites and evaluation for visible light assisted photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B

Abstract

Nano titania composite materials exfoliated with varying weight percentage of graphene oxide were synthesized and evaluated for visible light assisted photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine-B. Titanium tetrachloride was hydrolyzed in water medium under organic solvent free conditions followed by ultrasonic addition of the as prepared 1 % aqueous solution of graphene oxide. The morphology and structural properties of the composite materials (1, 2, 5, 10, 15 wt % graphene oxide-nano titania) prepared has been characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-Vis DRS), high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and UV-visible spectroscopy. A superior activity was observed with 10 mg of 10 % graphene oxide-nano titania composite material. The 100 % degradation of rhodamine- B was observed in 60 min and other optimum conditions were established.