Enhanced activity of ZnO-rGO composites for photocatalytic removal of phenol

Abstract

The use of zinc oxide (ZnO) in photocatalysis is limited due to its drawbacks in photocorrosion and high rate of recombination electron-hole pairs. In order to suppress the drawbacks, ZnO was integrated with reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The effect of rGO loading on the physical and chemical properties of the composites was examined. Based on X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, Raman and FTIR Spectra, and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images, ZnO-rGO composites were successfully prepared by a UV-assisted photocatalytic reduction method. The prepared ZnOrGO composites were further tested in the photocatalytic removal of phenol. Under UV light irradiation, composite with GO/Zn weight ratio of 3% showed the highest acitivity (31%), which was ca. 3 times higher activity than the bare ZnO. This result suggested the importance of rGO to enhance the activity of ZnO.