Sunlight-Induced photochemical synthesis of Au nanodots on α-Fe2O3@Reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite and their enhanced heterogeneous catalytic properties

Abstract

In this present study, we report the synthesis of Au nanodots on α-Fe2O3@reduced graphene oxide (RGO) based hetero-photocatalytic nanohybrids through a chlorophyll mediated photochemical synthesis. In this process, chlorophyll induces a rapid reduction (30 min) of Au3+ ions to Au° metallic nanodots on α-Fe2O3@RGO surface under sunlight irradiation. The nucleation growth process, photo-induced electron-transfer mechanism and physico-chemical properties of the Au@α-Fe2O3@RGO ternary nanocomposites were systematically studied with various analytical techniques. This novel photochemical synthesis process is a cost-effective, convenient, surfactant-less, and scalable method. Moreover, the prepared ternary nanocomposites enhanced catalytic activity as compared to pure α-Fe2O3 and α-Fe2O3@RGO. The advantages and synergistic effect of Au@α-Fe2O3@RGO exhibit, (i) a broader range of visible-light absorption due to visible light band gap of α-Fe2O3, (ii) lower recombination possibility of photo-generated electrons and holes due to effect of Au and (iii) faster electron transfer due to higher conductivity of RGO. Therefore, the prepared Au@α-Fe2O3@RGO hetero-photocatalytic nanohybrids exhibited a remarkable photocatalytic activity, thus enabling potential active hetero-photocatalyst for industrial and environmental applications.

Porous reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/WO3 nanocomposites for the enhanced detection of NH3 at room temperature

“…11,33,34 The pore size distribution and specic surface area (SSA) of WO 3 with different weight percentages of rGO content were studied using adsorption-desorption analysis. 35,36 Fig. 6(a-c) show the BET surface area and corresponding BJH pore size distribution of the pure WO 3 and different weight percentage nanocomposites (1% and 5% rGO/WO 3 ).…”

Synthesis and Applications of Graphene/Iron(III) Oxide Composites

“…Notably, synergistic effects are common in graphene/metal oxide nanocomposites due to their interfacial interactions and size effects. Many methods have been employed to obtain graphene sheets with particles on it, such as spray pyrolysis, chemical precipitation, freeze drying, sol‐gel method, etc . Fe‐Fe 2 O 3 particle‐deposited N‐doped graphene was synthesized by a redox reaction in a water‐in‐oil emulsion (Figure a) .…”

Tragacanth Hydrogel Integrated CeO2@rGO Nanocomposite as Reusable Photocatalysts for Organic Dye Degradation

“…Recently, graphene‐nanomaterials with high electrical conductivity, electron‐mobility and aspect ratio have been developed to improve the stability and dielectric properties of CeO 2, which in turn could enhance its photocatalytic efficiency . Graphene oxide (GO), an oxidised derivative of graphene with several oxygen containing functional groups, such as hydroxyl, epoxide and carboxyl on its surface is reduced to achieve superior electrical properties . When CeO 2 is anchored onto reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets, their interaction could enhance the photocatalytic performance of the nanocomposite mainly by reducing the recombination rate of electron‐hole pairs .…”