ZnO-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites as efficient photocatalysts for photocatalytic reduction of CO2

A series of zinc oxide/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites (ZnO-rGO) were fabricated by a facile one-step hydrothermal method. The composite materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission scanning electron microscopy (TEM), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, photoluminescence spectra (PL) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance (DRS). The photocatalytic performance of the ZnO-rGO composites was investigated towards photoreduction of CO2 to CH3OH. The yield of CH3OH on ZnO-rGO was five times as high as that on pure ZnO. The ZnO-rGO nanocomposites possess excellent reusing and cycling property. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.