Synthesis of TiO2-Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites for Efficient Adsorption and Photodegradation of Herbicides

The elimination of herbicides in aquatic environment is influenced by various biotic or abiotic factors. Thus, efficient, more applicable, and flexible methods are in demand. Photodegradation has been applied to remove three main types of herbicides, phenylurea, triazine, and chloroacetanilide, from water, based on a series of TiO2-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites. Experimental results showed that the three types of herbicides could be mostly removed under simulated sunlight irradiation for 5 h with the asprepared photocatalyst. Compared with pure TiO2 or P25, the photodegradation efficiency has been markedly increased. Thus, the present work could promote a new strategy dealing with the pollution of herbicides in aquatic ecosystems.