Enhanced photocatalytic performance of Hausmannite Mn3O4-rGO nanocomposite in degrading methylene blue

Hausmannite manganese oxide/reduced graphene oxide (Mn3O4-rGO) nanocomposite (NC) was synthesized by solvothermal method. The NC was assessed for structural, morphological, and optical properties by XRD, SEM, FE-SEM, Raman, UV-visible and PL techniques. The XRD pattern exhibits a tetragonal structure of Mn3O4 with an average grain size of -25.81 nm. Crystalline plane (002) confirms the successful formation of Mn3O4-rGO NC. Surface morphological images show the crumbled-like structure of graphene sheets on which Mn3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) are randomly distributed. The optical absorption and transmittance properties of NC were studied and the band-gap value was calculated. The photocatalytic activity studies on the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under sunlight demonstrated that Mn3O4-rGO NC have high degradation efficiency compared to the pristine materials Mn3O4 and rGO.

Automated summary

The Hausmannite manganese oxide/reduced graphene oxide (Mn3O4-rGO) nanocomposite was synthesized using solvothermal method and characterized for its structural, morphological, and optical properties. The nanocomposite exhibited high photocatalytic activity in the degradation of methylene blue dye under sunlight, showing higher efficiency compared to pristine Mn3O4 and rGO materials.