One-step simple sonochemical fabrication and photocatalytic properties of Cu2O–rGO composites

Abstract

An easy, one-step synthesis of Cu2O-reduced graphene composites (Cu2O-rGO) was developed using a simple sonochemical route without any surfactants or templates. The morphology and structure of the Cu2O-rGO composites were characterised using techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that the Cu2O sphere is approximately 200 nm in diameter and composed of small Cu2O particles approximately 20 nm in diameter. The morphology and composition of the Cu2O-rGO composites could be well controlled by simply changing the mole ratio of the reactants under ultrasonic irradiation. The Cu2O-rGO composites displayed better photocatalytic performance for the degradation of methyl orange (MO) than pure Cu2O spheres, which may have potential applications in water treatment, sensors, and energy storage.

Advanced Chemical Reduction of Reduced Graphene Oxide and Its Photocatalytic Activity in Degrading Reactive Black 5

“…The k value of respective concentrations was determined from the slope of the linear plot (Figure 7b) and was listed in Table 3. The value of k progressively reduced with increasing RB5 concentrations [41]. The correlation coefficient (R 2 ) values are close to 1, which obeys the pseudo-first order kinetic model.…”

Reduced graphene oxide wrapped CdS composites with enhanced photocatalytic performance and high stability

“…The diffraction pattern of CdS-rGO nanocomposites exhibits similar diffraction peaks and intensities without any considerable change. The characteristic peak of GO vanishes, which might be attributed to the reduction of GO and the destruction of regular stack of GO sheets [21,24,25]. Fig.…”

Ultrasound assisted synthesis of ZnO/reduced graphene oxide composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity and anti-photocorrosion

“…Nowadays sonochemistry has been proven to be an effective way for the synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles/graphene composites [16][17].When liquids are treated with ultrasonic irradiation, acoustic cavitation, i.e., formation, growth and immediate collapse of bubbles in the liquid results in forming high temperature, high pressure and extremely rapid cooling rates [18].Such extreme chemical environments lead to the formation of smaller sized inorganic particles. Further the ultrasonication is advantageous to reducing the agglomeration of nanoparticles and the restacks of the exfoliated graphene sheets [19].…”