Fabrication of WO3 nanorods/RGO hybrid nanostructures for enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of Ciprofloxacin and Rhodamine B in an ecosystem

This proposed work suggests the fabrication of hybrid WO3/reduced graphene oxide (WRG) composites with rod-like structures through the facile hydrothermal method. The WO3 nanorod has been grown on the GO sheet, concurrent reduction of GO has been made, and the as-prepared WRG is employed as photo-catalyst. The fabricated samples structural and morphological properties were scrutinized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). The chemical composition and surface binding energy were monitored by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The WRG composites exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity for decomposing organic dye Rhodamine B (RhB) & antibiotic pollutants like Ciprofloxacin (CIP) under visible light irradiation. The adequate loading of GO on WO3 matrix reduced the charge carrier's recombination and enhanced the degradation performance. Hybrid photocatalyst exhibit higher rate constant values; 2.76 x 10(-2) min(-1) and 2.07 x 10(-2) min(-1) for RhB and CIP pollutants, respectively. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

This study proposes the fabrication of hybrid WO3/reduced graphene oxide composites through a hydrothermal method for efficient degradation of organic dyes and antibiotic pollutants. The structural and morphological properties of the samples were analyzed using XRD and FESEM, while XPS was used to monitor the chemical composition and surface binding energy. The hybrid photocatalyst exhibited higher rate constant values for Rhodamine B and Ciprofloxacin pollutants under visible light irradiation.