Sonochemical synthesis of Ti02 nanoparticles on graphene for use as photocatalyst

Authors

Jingjing Guo, Shanghai Jiao Tong Uni, China
Shenmin Zhu, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai
Zhixin Chen, University of WollongongFollow
Yao Li, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites
Ziyong Yu, Shanghai Jiao Tong Uni, China
Qinglei Liu, Shanhai Jiao Tong Uni
Jingbo Li, Shanghai Jiao Tong Uni, China
Chuanliang Feng, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites
Di Zhang, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, ShanghaiFollow

RIS ID

37290

Publication Details

Guo, J., Zhu, S., Chen, Z., Li, Y., Yu, Z., Liu, Q., Li, J., Feng, C. & Zhang, D. (2011). Sonochemical synthesis of Ti02 nanoparticles on graphene for use as photocatalyst. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 18 (5), 1082-1090.

Abstract

Using ultrasonication we succeed in a controlled incorporation of TiO₂ nanoparticles on the graphene layers homogeneously in a few hours. The average size of the TiO₂ nanoparticles was controlled at around 4–5 nm on the sheets without using any surfactant, which is attributed to the pyrolysis and condensation of the dissolved TiCl₄ into TiO₂ by ultrasonic waves. The photocatalytic activity of the resultant graphene–TiO₂ composites containing 25 wt.% TiO₂ is better than that of commercial pure TiO₂. This is partly due to the extremely small size of the TiO₂ nanoparticles and partly due to the graphene–TiO₂ composite structure consisting of homogeneous dispersion of crystalline TiO₂ nanoparticles on the graphene sheets. As the graphene in the composites has a very good contact with the TiO₂ nanoparticles it enhances the photo-electron conversion of TiO₂ by reducing the recombination of photo-generated electron–hole pairs.