Graphene covered SiC powder as advanced photocatalytic material

Graphene covered SiC powder (GCSP) has been fabricated by well established method of high temperature thermal decomposition of SiC. The structural and photocatalystic characteristics of the prepared GCSP were investigated and compared with that of the pristine SiC powder. Under UV illumination, more than 100% enhancement in photocatalystic activity is achieved in degradation of Rhodamine B (Rh B) by GCSP catalyst than by pristine SiC powder. The possible mechanisms underlining the observed results are discussed. The results suggested that GCSP as a composite of graphene based material has great potential for use as a high performance photocatalyst. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3676042]