Reduced graphene oxide and Ag/AgCl composite (RGO–Ag/AgCl) for photocatalytic degradation of RhB using WLED

Abstract

Here we report a visible light photocatalyst RGO–Ag/AgCl composite, prepared in a simple protocol. The photocatalytic activity of RGO–Ag/AgCl is demonstrated with an in-house developed white light emitting diode reactor. RGO–Ag/AgCl is characterized by FESEM, PXRD, EDX, FTIR, and UV–visible spectroscopy. RGO–Ag/AgCl has strong absorbance in the visible light region and exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to Ag/AgCl for the photodegradation of RhB. Only a minimal change in the photocatalytic activity of RGO–Ag/AgCl is observed in repeated cycles. The photodegradation pathway followed is of a dominant direct degradation of the chromophore rather than the commonly observed N-deethylation pathway. Thus reducing the chances of leftover photodegradation products as contaminants. Our findings suggest that RGO–Ag/AgCl under visible light from WLED has the potential to be used for water treatment.