Graphene/oxide composite structures can be employed for advanced applications owing to their synergistic properties. We prepared mesoporous TiO2 layers including (i) graphene oxide and (ii) reduced graphene oxide at various concentrations. The films deposited on glass were tested for photocatalytic degradation, in water and under UV light, of sulfathiazole, a model compound of an eco-persistent antibiotic. The results show the high photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 layers. Moreover, a significant improvement in the photodegradation rate is found for graphene oxide with an optimum concentration of 2 wt. %. It is assigned to a favorable energy level combination that favors the photogenerated charge separation and increases the lifetime of the electron/hole pairs.
Graphene/oxide composite structures are attracting increasing attention for many advanced applications. In the present work, mesoporous layers composed of TiO2 nanoparticles and graphene at various concentrations have been coated on conductive glass substrates. They have been tested for the photocatalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol used as a model compound of an eco-persistent pollutant dilute in water. The formation of intermediate degradation products, namely, hydroquinone and benzoquinone, has been followed. The results show the high photocatalytic activity of the layers and a beneficial effect of graphene for an optimum concentration of 1.2 wt. %. The decrease in the activity observed at higher graphene content is assigned to the light absorption by this component. The key parameters for the enhancement of the photocatalytic performance are discussed.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.