TiO2-graphene oxide nanocomposite as advanced photocatalytic materials

Background: Graphene oxide composites with photocatalysts may exhibit better properties than pure photocatalysts via improvement of their textural and electronic properties. Results: TiO2-Graphene Oxide (TiO2 - GO) nanocomposite was prepared by thermal hydrolysis of suspension with graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets and titania peroxo-complex. The characterization of graphene oxide nanosheets was provided by using an atomic force microscope and Raman spectroscopy. The prepared nanocomposites samples were characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area and Barrett-Joiner-Halenda porosity, X-ray Diffraction, Infrared Spectroscopy, Raman Spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy. UV/VIS diffuse reflectance spectroscopy was employed to estimate band-gap energies. From the TiO2 - GO samples, a 300 mu m thin layer on a piece of glass 10x15 cm was created. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared layers was assessed from the kinetics of the photocatalytic degradation of butane in the gas phase. Conclusions: The best photocatalytic activity under UV was observed for sample denoted TiGO_ 100 (k = 0.03012 h(-1)), while sample labeled TiGO_075 (k = 0.00774 h(-1)) demonstrated the best activity under visible light.