Ag2Se-Graphene/TiO2 nanocomposites, sonochemical synthesis and enhanced photocatalytic properties under visible light

Abstract

Ag2Se-Graphene/TiO2 composite was synthesized by a facile sonochemical method. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrophotometer. During the reaction, both of the reduction of graphene oxide and loading of Ag2Se and TiO2 particles were achieved. The as-prepared Ag2Se-Graphene/TiO2 composites possessed great adsorptivity of dyes, extended light absorption range, and efficient charge separation properties simultaneously. Hence, in the photodegradation of rhodamine B (Rh.B), a significant enhancement in the reaction rate was observed with Ag2Se-Graphene/TiO2 composites, compared to the pure TiO2. The high activity can be attributed to the synergetic effects of high charge mobility, and red shift in absorption edge of Ag2Se-Graphene/TiO2 composites.