High-performance photocatalyst based on nanosized ZnO-reduced graphene oxide hybrid for removal of Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation

Haiqing Yao; Fei Li; Jodie Lutkenhaus; Masaya Kotaki; Hung-Jue Sue; Haiqing Yao; Fei Li; Jodie Lutkenhaus; Masaya Kotaki; Hung-Jue Sue

doi:10.3934/matersci.2016.4.1410

AIMS Materials Science

2016, Volume 3, Issue 4: 1410-1425. doi: 10.3934/matersci.2016.4.1410

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High-performance photocatalyst based on nanosized ZnO-reduced graphene oxide hybrid for removal of Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation

1.
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
2.
Polymer Technology Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
3.
Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
4.
Kaneka US Material Research Center, College Station, TX 77843, USA

Received: 15 August 2016 Accepted: 20 October 2016 Published: 24 October 2016

Nano-sized zinc oxide-reduced graphene oxide (ZnO-RGO) hybrid containing well-dispersed ZnO nanoparticles with an average diameter of 4.5 ± 0.5 nm has been successfully prepared via a one-step sol-gel method. FTIR characterization reveals that GO underwent deoxygenation during the preparation of ZnO nanoparticle. The introduction of RGO in the ZnO-RGO hybrid significantly improved the photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO in the degradation of Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation. The apparent reaction constant of ZnO-RGO is 8 times higher than that of pure ZnO, and the photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO-RGO remains high even after 4 consecutive reactions. Results from the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area measurements, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis suggest that the enhancement in the photocatalytic activity of the ZnO-RGO hybrid comes from (1) the enormous surface area provided by the nano-sized ZnO particles, (2) significant dye adsorption from RGO template, and (3) excellent electron reception and conduction of RGO. The attractive properties of ZnO-RGO make it a promising candidate material in addressing the environmental pollution issues we have to face today.
- reduced graphene oxide,
- ZnO,
- sol-gel,
- photocatalysis,
- adsorption
Citation: Haiqing Yao, Fei Li, Jodie Lutkenhaus, Masaya Kotaki, Hung-Jue Sue. High-performance photocatalyst based on nanosized ZnO-reduced graphene oxide hybrid for removal of Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation[J]. AIMS Materials Science, 2016, 3(4): 1410-1425. doi: 10.3934/matersci.2016.4.1410

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Abstract

Nano-sized zinc oxide-reduced graphene oxide (ZnO-RGO) hybrid containing well-dispersed ZnO nanoparticles with an average diameter of 4.5 ± 0.5 nm has been successfully prepared via a one-step sol-gel method. FTIR characterization reveals that GO underwent deoxygenation during the preparation of ZnO nanoparticle. The introduction of RGO in the ZnO-RGO hybrid significantly improved the photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO in the degradation of Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation. The apparent reaction constant of ZnO-RGO is 8 times higher than that of pure ZnO, and the photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO-RGO remains high even after 4 consecutive reactions. Results from the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area measurements, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis suggest that the enhancement in the photocatalytic activity of the ZnO-RGO hybrid comes from (1) the enormous surface area provided by the nano-sized ZnO particles, (2) significant dye adsorption from RGO template, and (3) excellent electron reception and conduction of RGO. The attractive properties of ZnO-RGO make it a promising candidate material in addressing the environmental pollution issues we have to face today.

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