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Title: Synthesis of ZnO decorated graphene nanocomposite for enhanced photocatalytic properties

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4874877· OSTI ID:22273464
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Department of Laser Studies, School of Physics, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai 625021, Tamilnadu (India)
  2. Department of Chemistry, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai 625014, Tamilnadu (India)

Zinc oxide/Graphene (GZ) composites with different concentrations of ZnO were successfully synthesized through simple chemical precipitation method. The X-ray diffraction pattern and the micro-Raman spectroscopic technique revealed the formation of GZ composite, and the energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry analysis showed the purity of the prepared samples. The ZnO nanoparticles decorated graphene sheets were clearly visible in the field emission scanning electron micrograph. Raman mapping was employed to analyze the homogeneity of the prepared samples. The diffuse-reflectance spectra clearly indicated that the formation of GZ composites promoted the absorption in the visible region also. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO and GZ composites was studied by the photodegradation of Methylene blue dye. The results revealed that the GZ composites exhibited a higher photocatalytic activity than pristine ZnO. Hence, we proposed a simple wet chemical method to synthesize GZ composite and its application on photocatalysis was demonstrated.

OSTI ID:
22273464
Journal Information:
Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 115, Issue 17; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-8979
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English