Photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B by using a nanocomposite of cuprous oxide, three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide, and nanochitosan prepared via one-pot synthesis

We reported a novel nanocomposite of cuprous oxide nanospheres, three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide, and nano-chitosan (Cu2O@3D-rGO@NCS) with diverse functionalities by a feasible one-step in situ reduction synthesis. The photocatalytic ability of Cu2O@3D-rGO@NCS nanocomposite using the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under simulated sunlight irradiation was accessed. The superior photocatalytic ability of Cu2O@3D-rGO@NCS compared to the pristine Cu2O nanospheres and Cu2O@3D-rGO nanocomposite, was attributed to high porosity from 3D-rGO, an efficient charge transfer from Cu2O to rGO, and high adsorption ability of NCS. The photodegradation efficiency toward rhodamine B (RhB) under simulated sunlight illumination was increased by approximately 68.2% and 46.8% when Cu2O@3D-rGO@NCS nanocomposite was used compared with the pristine Cu2O and Cu2O@3D-rGO nanocomposite, respectively. The recyclability results also demonstrated the excellent stability and reliability of the Cu2O@3D-rGO@NCS nanocomposite. The present work provides new insights into the synthesis and characterization of Cu2O@3D-rGO@NCS nanocomposite and its wide application in the environment protection issues. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.