Effect of synthesis parameters on visible light photocatalytic activity of graphene-TiO2 nanocomposites for industrial wastewater treatment

Abstract

Reduced graphene oxide (RGO)-TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) were used for industrial wastewater treatment that was obtained from Banwol Sihwa Industrial Complex, Korea. RGO-TNT were fabricated using one-step and two-step anodization at different RGO concentrations, RGO deposition times, anodization voltages and anodization times. Synthesized catalysts were characterised using FESEM, XRD, TEM, EDS, XPS, UV-vis DRS, PL, Raman, and pH(PZC). Compared with pure-TNTs, two-step and one-step RGO-TNT exhibited 2.7 and 3.3-times higher photocatalytic activities for industrial wastewater. Scavenger experiments identified that OH center dot and e(-) are main species involved in photocatalytic degradation of MB and industrial wastewater. RGO-TNTs are suitable for industrial wastewater treatment.