A Novel and Reusable RGO/ZnO with Nanosheets/Microparticle Composite Photocatalysts for Efficient Pollutants Degradation

In this paper, we designed and synthesized a novel structure ZnO with the nanosheets grown on the surface of dumbbell-shape ZnO via a simple hydrothermal route, and exhibits excellent photoelectrochemical performance. The reason is that nanosheets enhance charge generation, separation and transfer. Graphene as a co-catalyst and anti-photocorrosion material were coated on the surface of ZnO and further enhanced the photoelectrochemical properties. In process of photodegradation RhB, the experiments reveal that ZnO with 1.5 wt% RGO displayed highest rate constant of 0.0562 min(-1), which is about 4 times better than pristine ZnO (heating 9 h) and several times higher than other RGO/ZnO composites. Meanwhile, the recycle experiments of 1.5 wt% RGO/ZnO suggest that it has excellent stability, reusability and excellent photocatalytic activity. The work provides a new strategy that developing nanosheets with high-energy plane grown on the surface of semiconductor particles to enhance photoelectrochemical performance and reusability.