Fabrication and photocatalytic ability of an Au/TiO₂/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite

Abstract

Deposition Au nanoparticles on both TiO₂ and RGO to fabricate Au/TiO₂/RGO.

Au/TiO₂/RGO displayed a high H₂O₂ and •OH production in photocatalytic process.

RGO is a good collector to transfer electrons from TiO₂ to Au.

A new type of Au/TiO₂/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposite was fabricated by the hydrothermal synthesis of TiO₂ on graphene oxide followed by the photodeposition of Au nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy images showed that Au nanoparticles were loaded onto the surface of both TiO₂ and RGO. Au/TiO₂/RGO had a better photocatalytic activity than Au/TiO₂ for the degradation of phenol. Electrochemical measurements indicated that Au/TiO₂/RGO had an improved charge transfer capability. Meanwhile, chemiluminescent analysis and electron spin resonance spectroscopy revealed that Au/TiO₂/RGO displayed high production of hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals in the photocatalytic process. This high photocatalytic performance was achieved via the addition of RGO in Au/TiO₂/RGO, where RGO served not only as a catalyst support to provide more sites for the deposition of Au nanoparticles but also as a collector to accept electrons from TiO₂ to effectively reduce photogenerated charge recombination.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Reduced graphene oxide / Au / TiO ₂ / Nanocomposite / Photocatalysis

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