Intercalated Structure and Photocatalytic Properties of TiO2-Graphite Oxide Composite

TiO2-graphite oxide (TiO2-GO) composites were successfully prepared at low temperature (80 degrees C) using graphite oxide (GO) and titanium sulfate (Ti(SO4)(2)) as initial reactants. The photocatalytic properties of TiO2-GO under UV light irradiation were also studied. Results show that the degradation rate of methyl orange is 1.17 mg . min(-1) . g(-1) (referring to the efficiency of the initial 15 min). Compared with Degussa 1125 powders, this intercalation composite is far more efficiently. In addition, the crystalline structure, interface status and microscopic structure of TiO2-GO were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron lpectroscopy (XPS) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Result showed that the TiO2 crystallites in the intercalated structure were composed of anatase and rutile phase with the former phase being enriched. The functional groups present in GO such as carboxyl (C-O) were mostly reduced in the intercalation composite. On the other hand, the synthesis mechanism and the main reasons responsible for the superior photocatalytic properties of TiO2-GO are also discussed.