TiO2/rGO/CuS Nanocomposites for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine-B Dye

In this work, a simple two step synthesis of Titanium dioxide / Reduced graphene oxide / Copper sulfide (TiO2/rGO/CuS) and its improved photocatalytic activity is reported. TiO2/rGO is prepared by electrochemical anodization of Ti metal in NaCl-graphene oxide solution as an electrolyte. Later CuS is incorporated to TiO2/rGO to form the composite TiO2/rGO/CuS by chemical precipitation at room temperature. The optical properties, phase and morphology of the material is characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, X- ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity is tested by the degradation of hazardous Rhodamine-B dye under ultraviolet and visible light exposures. An enhancement of photocatalytic activity is observed in TiO2/rGO/CuS as compared to pure TiO2 or TiO2/rGO nanocomposites. The enhancement is mainly due to wide range of optical absorption of CuS and the interfaced rGO, which facilitates the efficient charge separation and charge transport. The present material exhibits superior stability that is tested by its recycling photocatalytic activity.