Characterization of microwave irradiation-assisted transformation of reduced graphene oxide for photocatalytic material-based water treatment application

Abstract

Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) can be develop for versatile applications range from electronic, sensing or photocatalytic applications. However, the use of toxic reducing agent and time-consuming process during the preparation of RGO remains a challenge in developing of RGO. Here, we develop a green strategy to prepare RGO through microwave irradiation-assisted process using water as a dispersant medium and evaluated the effect of time and power of microwave process into the RGO formation. We show that these strategy could transform GO into RGO efficiently according to the characterization by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Raman and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The results show that microwave power and initial GO concentration will affect the RGO formation. Furthermore, the potential applications as a component for photocatalytic materials have been assessed through the combination of RGO with titanium dioxide (TiO2) as RGO/TiO2 composite. The results show that the RGO/TiO2 composite could enhanced the photocatalytic performance against rhodamine-B. In conclusion, this microwave irradiation-assisted process in water-based dispersion successfully develop RGO in the orde of minutes by using non-toxic dispersing medium, opening a route to the effective and efficient strategy in the developing of RGO and their RGO/TiO2 composite could be anticipated for the development of photocatalytic materials in conjunction with water treatment process.