Analysis of Surface Potential and Photocatalytic Activity of Au-Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites

摘要

Surface potential of chemically synthesized graphene oxide (GO) and gold nanoparticles decorated GO (Au-GO) have been measured using scanning Kelvin probe (SKP) microscope. The Raman spectra of GO and Au-GO confirms presence of D and G peaks of GO. The intensity of both the peaks gets enhanced in case of Au-GO. The enhancement is due to surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of GO. Such type of composite material has been used as a photocatalyst for degradation of Rhodamine B dye molecules. The degradation rate constant was found to be 1.6 x 10~(-2) min~(-1) in visible light.