TiO2∙rGO nanocomposite as a photo catalyst for the reduction of Cr6+

Abstract

Titania decorated reduced graphene oxide (TiO2∙x%rGO (x = 0, 1, 05, 10, 15, 20 and 25) nanocomposites (NC’s) were fabricated using a hydrothermal process. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images show that the rGO surfaces were covered with TiO2 nanoparticles whose average sizes increased as x is increased. X Ray Diffraction (XRD) of all the NP’s exhibits the diffractions peaks of the anatase phase of the TiO2. The Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectra of these NC’s indicate an increase in the Ti-O-C interfacial chemical bond vibration signals as x increases. A decrease in the energy of the band (energy) gap as the amount of rGO is increased is determined from the UV–vis light absorption spectra. The use of these TiO2∙x%rGO NC’s to reduce toxic Cr6+ ions to nontoxic Cr3+ ions is studied. The photo-catalytic reduction of the toxic Cr6+ is seen in general to increase as x is increased.