The present work describes a simple method to produce zinc oxide nanoparticles supported in nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide, ZnO/N-rGO. The rGO structures were nitrogen-doped using hydrazine as nitrogen source (N-rGO) with the purpose of enhancing the rGO capability to promote the electrons transport along their surface. Thus, ZnO/N-rGO catalytic systems were tested as photocatalyst to degrade methylene blue and lignin molecules under ultraviolet (UV) and visible (Vis) light irradiation. N-doping of rGO was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Photocatalytic degradation studies confirm better performance of the ZnO/N-rGO in comparison to ZnO. The percentage of lignin degradation for the ZnO/N-rGO compound under UV was 59%, while using visible energy it was achieved 46%, in a time of 70 min.
Nitrogen-doping of cadmium sulfide nanostructured compounds was carried out under a nitrogen plasma source to produce CdS-N compounds. Once prepared, it was supported on graphene oxide sheets for producing CdS-N/GO photocatalysts, which were tested in the degradation of lignin and methylene blue (MB) molecules. Photocatalytic reactions were carried out under UV and visible (vis) energy irradiation. To provide insight on the catalytic behavior the CdS, CdS-N, GO, and CdS-N/GO compounds were characterized using different techniques including x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Raman, and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy allowed determining the chemical composition in samples. It was observed an outstanding performance in photocatalytic activity tests, attributed to the extended response towards the visible light regime, and the synergistic effect between CdS-N and GO particles. The catalytic activity tests, reveal that the CdS-N/GO compound achieved over 90% lignin degradation and 100% of MB degradation. In addition, a remarkable performance is observed in the CdS-N/GO compound which exhibited stability after performing several reaction cycles.
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