NMP-HSO4 ionic liquid assist preparation of Ag/AgCl decorated rGO for visible light photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue

Abstract

Using ionic liquids (ILs) to modify the structure and properties of nanomaterials are getting more attention in recent times. N-methyl-2 pyrrolidone hydrogen sulfate ionic liquid is used to prepare the plasmonic photocatalyst made up of Ag and AgCl decorated reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The presence of Ag/AgCl crystals is confirmed through powder XRD pattern and 272 nm absorption in UV–vis spectroscopy is evidenced for the presence of AgCl. The shifting of CO band and new band around 1560 cm−1 in FT-IR spectra are indicating the modification in rGO. Decoration of Ag/AgCl on rGO is observed in FE-SEM images. Decreased ID/IG ratio and increased La value from micro-Raman data indicate the reduction of GO into rGO. From thermogravimetric analysis and an endothermic peak at 956 °C in DSC analysis are evidenced for the composite formation. The photocatalytic activity of the IL-rGO was tested under sunlight by degrading MB dye. Based on the results, the improved catalytic degradation was achieved by effective absorption of sunlight by the catalyst through surface plasmon resonance effect and better charge separation aided by rGO.