Photocatalytic Degradation of Reactive Black-5 Dye with Novel Graphene-Titanium Nanotube Composite

Abstract

Graphene-titanium nanotube composites with different ratios of graphite oxide were prepared via the hydrothermal method using ascorbic acid as a reducing agent. Properties of materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The average diameter of the titanium dioxide nanotubes was about 8 nm. The photoresponse of nanocomposites have been extended to visible-light regions. In addition, graphene-titanium nanotube composites showed higher photocatalytic degradation efficiency for reactive black 5 (RBK5) than pure titanium dioxide and the 15%graphene-titanium nanotube composites catalysts possessed the best photocatalytic activity. The degradation efficiency for RBK5 dyes increased with increased dosage of graphite oxide from 3%-15% and decreased with increasing initial RBK5 concentration. This paper not only reports the fabrication of highly active photocatalysts but also provides insight into the photocatalytic mechanism of graphene-titanium nanotube composites.