One-step hydrothermal synthesis of anatase TiO2/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic activity

Abstract

• TiO 2 /RGO nanocomposites were prepared by a facile one-step hydrothermal method. • Using Ti(SO 4 ) 2 and GO as precursors and ethanol/water solvent as reducing agent. • TiO 2 /RGO exhibit superior photocatalytic performance compared to bare TiO 2 . • Mechanism was studied using PL spectrum and photocurrent response measurement. A facile and efficient one-step hydrothermal approach has been developed to synthesize chemically bonded TiO 2 /reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposites with Ti(SO 4 ) 2 and graphene oxide (GO) as precursors and ethanol/water solvent as a reducing agent. This approach aims to realize a partial reduction of GO and a growth of anatase TiO 2 nanoparticles on RGO sheets simultaneously. The morphology and microstructure characterizations of TiO 2 /RGO nanocomposites reveal that this method leads to close interfacial contact of TiO 2 /RGO and efficient dispersion of TiO 2 nanocrystals on the surface of RGO sheets. The TiO 2 /RGO nanocomposites exhibit superior photocatalytic activity compared to bare TiO 2 nanoparticles and a mechanical mixing TiO 2 + RGO sample in the degradation of Rhodamine B. Based on the photoluminescence spectrum and photocurrent response measurements, the enhanced photocatalytic activity of TiO 2 /RGO is mainly attributed to the excellent electron trapping and transportation properties of RGO.