In situ growth of orthorhombic Sb2WO6 hierarchical structures on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets via solvothermal approach for superior and substantially improved visible-light driven photocatalytic activity

Abstract

We report the solvothermal synthesis of reduced graphene oxide (RGO)-hierarchical orthorhombic Sb2WO6 structures with improved electron transfer and reduced charge recombination for visible light driven photocatalysis. The composites were fabricated via a facile solvothermal route by in situ growth of Sb2WO6 hierarchical structures on GO sheets. GO sheets were reduced to RGO during the course of reaction. The optimal ratio for optimum synergetic effect of RGO–Sb2WO6 composite was found to be 9 wt% of RGO. It was found that this type of synthetic approach helps to develop an efficient interfacial contact between Sb2WO6 hierarchical structures and RGO sheets which helps to improve the photocatalytic efficiency by reducing the electron–hole recombination. The pure and composite samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, Raman, BET, DRS and PL analysis techniques. The improved charge transfer properties were proved by photoluminescence (PL) analysis. The photocatalytic performance of the as prepared composites was evaluated by the degradation of non-azo dye Rhodamine B (RhB) and visible light inactive phenol. The improved photocatalytic performance was attributed to the effective charge transfer and hence reduced charge recombination between Sb2WO6 and RGO achieved from the strong interaction between RGO and Sb2WO6. The synthesised composite was also found to be highly stable in cyclic experiments.