Enhanced photocatalytic activity of rGO-CeO2 nanocomposites driven by sunlight

The combination of the unique properties of graphene with tremendous characteristics of metal oxide nanomaterials has become a widely accepted pathway for achieving desirable properties useful for various applications. In this study, rGO-CeO2 nanocomposites were synthesized by a facile in situ hydrothermal method using ammonia solution. The structural, morphological and optical features of the synthesized rGO-CeO2 nanocomposites were systematically investigated. The obtained features of the synthesized nanocomposites were correlated in order to authenticate the improved photocatalytic performance of the synthesized rGO-CeO2 nanocomposites. The enhanced photodegradation rate of the synthesized rGO-CeO2 nanocomposites (72%) in comparison with bare CeO2 NPs (35%) towards the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under direct sunlight irradiation can be attributed to the improved separation of electron-hole pairs and superior adsorption caused by the presence of rGO. The present findings will have a profound effect on the use of rGO-CeO2 nanocomposites as photocatalytic materials. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.