Enhanced photocatalytic performance of V2O5-TiO2 nanocomposites synthesized by mechanical alloying with morphological hierarchy

V2O5-TiO2 nanocomposites with different morphological variations have been synthesized by a one-step mechanical alloying method for the first time. The surface morphologies of all the synthesized composites are revealed from their respective FESEM images. Detailed microstructure characterization of these composites has been carried out by analyzing XRD patterns employing the Rietveld refinement method, HRTEM images and FTIR spectra. The existence of a less-abundant brookite TiO2 phase in the V2O5-TiO2 nanocomposites has been confirmed for the first time by microstructure characterization, HRTEM and FTIR spectrum analysis. The optical properties of all the nanocomposites have been investigated by analyzing their respective UV-Vis absorption spectra. The photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B under visible light in presence of 15 h milled V2O5-TiO2 nanocomposite has been enhanced significantly to similar to 89% with the addition of 1 mL of H2O2 to the aqueous solution, in comparison with both nanocrystalline TiO2 and V2O5. This is presumed to be due to both the synergistic effects of TiO2 and V2O5 and the reduction in the recombination of charge carriers in presence of H2O2.