Solvothermal synthesis of reduced graphene oxide-Bi2S3 nanorod composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation

Reduced graphene oxide-Bi2S3 nanorod composites (RGO-Bi2S3 nanorod) are synthesized through a facile solvothermal approach. The obtained samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activities of the samples were investigated by the degradation of rhodamine B under visible light irradiation. The results indicate that RGO-Bi2S3 nanorod exhibits an enhanced photodegradation activity than pure Bi2S3 nanorod. The enhancement in the photocatalytic performance could be attributed to the introduction of RGO sheets.