Synthesis and Characterization of Hetero-metallic Oxides-Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites for Photocatalytic Applications

A new AgO center dot CuO center dot WO3/rGO nanocomposite was designed for the investigation of the degradation ability of the hybrid material under visible light irradiation. The AgO, CuO, WO3 NPs, and AgO center dot CuO center dot WO3 hetero-metallic oxides were fabricated via the chemical co-precipitation method. The crystallite sizes and phase analyses were investigated by recording X-ray diffraction patterns. The crystallite sizes of three metal oxides in the AgO center dot CuO center dot WO3 hetero metal oxide were 16.7, 15.9, and 16.9 nm, respectively. The FESEM images at various magnifications were probed to study the morphology of synthesized materials. The micrographs of hetero-metallic oxides AgO center dot CuO center dot WO3 exposed that three metal oxides merged like small particles and gives a large bulbous appearance. EDX analyses confirmed the formation of required materials with high purity. FTIR data was in agreement with the literature which facilitated to ensure the purity of synthesized samples. The optical bandgap energy was calculated via the Tauc plot indicating that the blend of three metal oxides generated a new energy level in the electronic structure is suitable for photocatalysis in the presence of visible light. The bandgap energy of hetero metallic oxides was 1.25 eV which is less than individual metal oxides signifying the tuning of the bandgap. The incorporation of rGO in AgO center dot CuO center dot WO3 hetero-metallic oxides gives a new photocatalyst for optimum photo degradation of methylene blue in minimum time. The percentage degradation via AgO center dot CuO center dot WO3 was 87.20% in 70 min while the percentage degradation via AgO center dot CuO center dot WO3/rGO recorded by photocatalytic experiment was 95% in 40 min. The photocatalysis data revealed that AgO center dot CuO center dot WO3 hetero-metallic oxides-rGO nanocomposite ensured a strong potential to uptake organic dyes from water by promoting redox reactions during photocatalysis in the minimum time limit.

Automated summary

A new AgO center dot CuO center dot WO3/rGO nanocomposite was designed and fabricated to study its degradation ability under visible light. The nanocomposite showed a high photocatalytic efficiency with a degradation rate of 95% for methylene blue in 40 minutes, indicating its strong potential for organic dye removal from water.