Abstract
Hybrid nanostructures made of gallium oxide (Ga2O3) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) are synthesized using a facile hydrothermal process method, where the Ga2O3 nanostructures are well dispersed on the rGO surface. The formed Ga2O3-rGO hybrids are characterized via Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), a diffuse reflectance Ultraviolet-visible-near infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) spectrophotometer, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), and photoluminescence (PL). Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for analyzing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The photocatalytic activity of the hybrid nanostructures is evaluated via the degradation of the 2-butanone, representing the VOCs under 254-nm radiation in the atmosphere. That activity is then compared to that of the Ga2O3 and commercial TiO2-P25. The Ga2O3-rGO hybrid shows enhanced photocatalytic degradation of 2-butanone compared to Ga2O3 and TiO2-P25, which is attributed to the enhanced specific surface area. The results indicate that the Ga2O3-rGO hybrid could be a promising method of enhancing photocatalytic activity and thereby effectively degrading VOCs, including the 2-butanone.
Highlights
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with high vapor pressures at room temperature are everywhere because they are emitted from a wide range of consumer products, building materials and adhesives
The present study focuses on the photocatalytic degradation of 2-butanone, which is used in adhesives and cleaning agents, as an indoor VOC source [27,28]
The chemical bonds between the Ga2 O3 and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were discussed via the Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) analysis, thereby promoting the charge transfer of photo-excited carriers from the Ga2 O3 to rGO and eventually enhancing the photocatalytic activity
Summary
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with high vapor pressures at room temperature are everywhere because they are emitted from a wide range of consumer products, building materials and adhesives. Many VOCs are toxic and adversely affect the human body in both indoor and outdoor environments [1,2,3]. As human beings spend more time at home and in the work place, the control of VOCs in indoor environments is a critical concern [4]. While absorption and incineration methods have traditionally been used to remove VOCs, photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) using metal oxide semiconductors has emerged as an attractive alternative due to their low cost and non-toxicity [5]. TiO2 is preferred in terms of its photocatalytic activity under UV light absorption [8]. It has been widely applied to Catalysts 2019, 9, 449; doi:10.3390/catal9050449 www.mdpi.com/journal/catalysts
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