Fabrication of graphene–TiO2 nanocomposite with improved photocatalytic degradation for acid orange 7 dye under solar light irradiation

Abstract

In this study, photodegradation of the non-biodegradable azo dye acid orange 7 (AO7) was selected as modal target in aqueous solution using graphene–TiO 2 (GR–TiO2) hybrid nanocomposite, was well investigated and elucidated. The crystal phase, special surface area, microscopic analysis of the GR–TiO2 and also, chemical state of the photocatalysts were studied by powdered X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Raman spectrum, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Brunauere Emmette Teller (BET) method and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). During photocatalysis, the GR–TiO2 nanocomposite improved photocatalytic performance compared with that of pure TiO 2 towards AO7 organic azo-dye degradation. The reusability test of photocatalytic activity was also examined. A conceivable reaction mechanism was suggested and nattered on the basis of tentative effects. Therefore, the GR–TiO2 nanomaterial can be widely used as a photocatalyst for treating the organic dye contaminant in the field of environmental protection.