Enhancement of photocatalytic activity for fold‐like ZnO via hybridisation with graphene

Abstract

Fold-like ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by hydrothermal method, and followed by hybridisation with graphene to form graphene/ZnO composite. Photocatalytic properties of prepared samples were investigated by degrading methylene blue solution. It was found that the photocatalytic activity of ZnO has been much enhanced by hybridisation with graphene under either ultraviolet or visible irradiation. After four recycles of photocatalytic experiments, graphene/ZnO photocatalyst has not exhibited any great loss in photocatalytic activity. According to the photo-electrochemical experimental results, the possible mechanism of the enhanced photocatalytic activity could be attributed to the increased adsorption ability, the effective separation of electron–hole pairs and the excellent electron transport characteristics of graphene. Thus, this new and highly effective graphene/ZnO composite could be a perfect candidate in the field of photocatalysis, which provides a new idea for the construction of other photocatalysts based on graphene and semiconductor.