Ag-doped ZnO nanorods embedded reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite for photo-electrochemical applications

Abstract

In this paper, the Ag-doped zinc oxide nanorods embedded reduced graphene oxide (ZnO:Ag/rGO) nanocomposite was synthesized for photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) in the water. The microstructural results confirmed the successful decoration of Ag-doped ZnO nanorods on rGO matrix. The photocatalytic properties, including photocatalytic degradation, charge transfer kinetics and photocurrent generation, are systematically investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), photocurrent transient response (PCTR) and open circuit voltage decay (OCVD). The results of photocatalytic dye degradation measurements indicated that ZnO:Ag/rGO nanocomposite is more effective than pristine ZnO to degrade the MO dye, and the degradation rate reached 40.6% in 30 min. The decomposition of MO with ZnO:Ag/rGO nanostructure followed first-order reaction kinetics with a reaction rate constant ( K a ) of 0.01746 min −1 . The EIS, PCTR and OCVD measurements revealed that the Ag doping and incorporation of rGO could suppress the recombination probability in ZnO by the separation of photo-generated electron–hole pairs, which leads to the enhanced photocurrent generation and photocatalytic activity. The photocurrent density of ZnO:Ag/rGO, ZnO/rGO and pristine ZnO are 206, 121.4 and 88.8 nA cm −2 , respectively.

Hydrothermal Synthesis of Silver Decorated Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) Nanoflakes with Effective Photocatalytic Activity for Wastewater Treatment

“…To date, photocatalytic degradation using inorganic semiconductor nanomaterials has exhibited vast desirability and interest for researchers owing to its excellent physical and chemical properties such as low toxicity, electrochemical stability, super oxidative capacity, costeffectiveness, and environmental viability [2,8,9]. During the photocatalytic (PC) process, nanomaterials absorb greater visible light energy than bandgap initiated excitation between valence and conduction bands.…”

Preparation of floatable TiO 2 /poly(vinyl alcohol)‐alginate composite for the photodegradation of ammonia wastewater

“…The results of photocatalytic activity indicated an incompatible trend, meaning that the textural property was not the key factor determining the photocatalytic activity. Such a result was reported by Zhang et al and Khurshid et al It must be noted that the MPVA‐Alg has shown a proper thermal stability with good photocorrosion resistance, so it was not decomposed under UV irradiation.…”

Antibacterial Property of Composites of Reduced Graphene Oxide with Nano-Silver and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized Using a Microwave-Assisted Approach

“…It is a two-dimensional planar structure with a thickness of a single layer to a few layers [1,2,3]. GO and its derivatives have been applied in soft electronics, functional composites, energy storage materials, medical equipment, gas sensor, and drug transportation [4,5,6,7,8,9,10].…”