Enhanced photocatalytic activity of reduced graphene oxide-TiO2 nanocomposite for picric acid degradation

The rGO-TiO2 nanocomposite was synthesised via a hydrothermal method. Numerous analytical and spectroscopic techniques have been used to characterise rGO-TiO2. The findings indicate that TiO2 has a tetragonal rutile phase and that TiO2 nanoparticles were densely packed on the GO sheet. In this study, the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutant (picric acid) with rGO-TiO2 nanocatalyst linked with Fenton reagent [Fe2+/H2O2] at various pH levels (3, 7 and 10) was investigated using UV light (wavelengths 254,265 and 395 nm), visible light, and sunlight. Among the various light irradiation conditions, visible light and sun light demonstrated the highest degradation efficiency due to the presence of rGO-incorporated TiO2 catalyst (rGO-TiO2 nanocompsite). Photolysis of picric acid of 200 mg/L was completed in 15 min and 18 min at the optimal pH of 3 and FeSO4 center dot 7H(2)O concentration of 1 mM, as well as the catalyst dosage of 50 mg/L under visible light and sun light. The rGO-TiO2 nanocomposite catalyst's superior adsorption and degradation properties make it an ideal solar-driven catalyst for organic pollutant degradation.