Synthesis and characterization of rGO decorated cubic ZnTiO3 rods for solar light-induced photodegradation of rhodamine B

Cubic zinc titanate (ZTO) rods were synthesized via a simple liquid precipitation method. Reduced graphene oxide/zinc titanate (rGO/ZTO) composites were prepared by using the synthesized ZTO rods and graphene oxide as precursors. The composites were characterized by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (TG/DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis). The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized photocatalysts was evaluated by the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) in water under sunlight irradiation. The results revealed that the rGO/ZTO composites exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than pristine ZTO. The rGO in rGO/ZTO composites preferentially accepted the photo-generated electrons as an electron reservoir, significantly reduced the chances of recombination, and effectively prolonged the lifetime of holes in rGO/ZTO, thereby greatly enhancing the efficiency of hole-induced decomposition of dyes.