Facile synthesis of well-dispersed Bi2S3 nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide and enhanced photocatalytic activity

Here we present a facile method for the synthesis of highly dispersed Bi2S3 nanoparticles (Bi2S3 NPs) with an average diameter of ca. 25 +/- 3 nm on the surface of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) via a poly( sodium-p-styrenesul-fonate) (PSS) asisted hydrothermal process. Such synthetic strategy can avoid excess aggregates of Bi2S3 nanoparticles, meanwhile from effective interfacial contact between Bi2S3 nanoparticles and RGO nanosheets, and inhibit the recombination of photogenerated charges. The enhanced charge transfer properties were proved by photoluminescence (PL) measurement. The obtained Bi2S3 NPs/RGO composites showed more significant visible light photoactivity for the degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol and Rhodamine B than that pure Bi2S3 and the control sample prepared in the absence of PSS. The enhanced photocatalytic performance could be attributed to the synergistic effect of efficient separation of photogenerated electron -hole pairs, increased catalytic active sites and visible light utilization. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.