An easy, one-step synthesis of Cu2O-reduced graphene composites (Cu2O-rGO) was developed using a simple sonochemical route without any surfactants or templates. The morphology and structure of the Cu2O-rGO composites were characterised using techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that the Cu2O sphere is approximately 200 nm in diameter and composed of small Cu2O particles approximately 20 nm in diameter. The morphology and composition of the Cu2O-rGO composites could be well controlled by simply changing the mole ratio of the reactants under ultrasonic irradiation. The Cu2O-rGO composites displayed better photocatalytic performance for the degradation of methyl orange (MO) than pure Cu2O spheres, which may have potential applications in water treatment, sensors, and energy storage.

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A simple sonochemical route was developed for the preparation of gold nanoparticles/boron nitride sheets (AuNPs/BNS) nanocomposites without using reducing or stabilizing agents. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and UV-vis absorption spectra were used to characterize the structure and morphology of the nanocomposites. The experimental results showed that AuNPs with approximately 20nm were uniformly attached onto the BNS surface. It was found that the AuNPs/BNS nanocomposites exhibited good catalytic activity for the reduction of H2O2. The modified electrochemical sensor showed a linear range from 0.04 to 50mM with a detection limit of 8.3μM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The findings provide a low-cost approach to the production of stable aqueous dispersions of nanoparticles/BNS nanocomposites.

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Hierarchical BiWO structures with high surface area were prepared in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone by using an optimized hydrothermal method. The samples prepared were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and N adsorption-desorption technique. The results of these characterizations showed the formation of the hierarchical BiWO structures with high surface area (51m/g). The degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) with or without visible light was investigated under various experimental conditions to evaluate the sonophotocatalytic activity of the hierarchical BiWO structures. The result showed that the degradation efficiency was found to be in the following order: sonocatalysis