Fabrication of GO/magnetic graphitic nanocapsule/TiO2 assemblies as efficient and recyclable photocatalysts

Abstract

In this work, we fabricate an efficient and stable photocatalyst system which has superior recyclability even under concentrated acidic conditions. The photocatalyst is prepared by assembling magnetic graphitic nanocapsules, titania (TiO2) and graphene oxide (GO) into a complex system through π-π stacking and electrostatic interactions. Such catalytic complex demonstrates very high stability. Even after dispersal into a concentrated acidic solution for one month, this photocatalyst could still be recycled and maintain its catalytic activity. With methyl orange as the model molecule, the photocatalyst was demonstrated to rapidly decompose the molecules with very high photocatalytic activity under both concentrated acidic and neutral condition. Moreover, this photocatalyst retains approximately 100 wt% of its original photocatalytic activity even after multiple experimental runs, of magnetic recycling. Finally, using different samples from natural water sources and different dyes, this GO/magnetic graphitic nanocapsule/TiO2 system also demonstrates its high efficiency and recyclability for practical application.