Solvothermal synthesis of reduced graphene oxide-Bi2S3 nanorod composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation

Reduced graphene oxide-Bi2S3 nanorod composites (RGO-Bi2S3 nanorod) are synthesized through a facile solvothermal approach. The obtained samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, and UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activities of the samples were investigated by the degradation of rhodamine B under visible light irradiation. The results indicate that RGO-Bi2S3 nanorod exhibits an enhanced photodegradation activity than pure Bi2S3 nanorod. The enhancement in the photocatalytic performance could be attributed to the introduction of RGO sheets.