A simple ultrasono-synthetic route of PbSe-graphene-TiO2 ternary composites to improve the photocatalytic reduction of CO2

The present work investigates the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CH3OH with a PbSe-G-TiO2 photocatalyst. A heterogeneous PbSe-G-TiO2 nanocomposite was prepared via ultra-sonication and was characterized via XRD, SEM, HRTEM, Raman, XPS, and DRS measurements. The photocatalytic efficiencies of the prepared sample were further characterized by GC for the photoreduction of CO2 to CH3OH under UV and visible light. The prepared PbSe-G-TiO2 ternary nanocomposites with an optimum GO loading of 6% exhibited outstanding photocatalytic activity (4.35 mu mol g(-1) h(-1)) after 48 hours of reaction. This indicated that the photocatalytic efficiency was mostly dependent on the weight ratio of graphene, sacrificial material Na2SO3/Na2S, and the type of reactant. This work provides an accessible way to improve the response of a graphene-based TiO2 photocatalyst to UV/visible light and to facilitate its application in environmental remediation.