String and Ball-Like TiO₂/rGO Composites with High Photo-catalysis Degradation Capability for Methylene Blue

Abstract

Novel three-dimensional string and ball-like titanium dioxide/reduced graphene oxide, TiO₂/rGO (STG) composites were prepared using a one-step hydrolysis process followed by a low-temperature hydrothermal treatment. The STG composites exhibited excellent photo-catalytic degradation performance for methylene blue owing to a good synergistic effect between TiO₂ and rGO. The STG composites with 1.0 wt% of rGO loading exhibited the highest removal rate of 86.0% for methylene blue and its reaction rate constant (5.27 × 10⁻³ min⁻¹) was much higher than those of pure string and ball-like TiO₂ (ST). In addition, the STG composites also showed an outstanding capability for the photo-catalysis degradation of other cationic dyes. In addition, a possible photo-catalytic degradation mechanism for the STG composite was postulated, in which $^{ \bullet } {\text{O}}_{2}^{ - }$ and ^•OH were the main oxidizing groups. This work offers new insights into a better design and preparation of novel composite materials for the removal of organic dyes.

Keywords

String and ball-like TiO₂ / Reduced graphene oxide / Synergistic effect / Photo-catalytic / Methylene blue

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