Improved photodegradation and antimicrobial activity of hydrothermally synthesized 0.2Ce-TiO2/RGO under visible light

Highly water-dispersible cerium doped titania nanoparticles deposited reduced graphene oxide (Ce-TiO2/RGO) has been prepared by a hydrothermal technique. The uniform deposition of Ce-TiO2 on RGO increases the absorption of titania from ultraviolet to visible region. From the photocurrent study, it was found that the optimum deposition of 0.2% cerium doped titania with 10 wt% RGO significantly increases the photocurrent density under visible light. During the photocatalytic process, the generated active species can be detected by trapping reactive species in presence of different scavengers. It was observed that h(+) and degrees O2- are responsible for the photocatalytic action of the composite. The developed heterogeneous photocatalyst has more degradation efficiency for a cationic dye methylene blue, and two pesticides quinalphos and imidacloprid as compared to conventional TiO2 catalyst under visible light. Incorporation of Ce into TiO2 imparts bifunctional properties such as degradation of toxic pesticides and antimicrobial property against human pathogenic bacteria.