Crumpled sheet like graphene based WO_3-Fe_2O_3 nanocomposites for enhanced charge transfer and solar photocatalysts for environmental remediation

摘要

The combination of two or more metal oxides onto graphene sheets with even distribution is projected to en- hanced charge transfer properties in photocatalytic applications. We report, tungsten oxide (WO3) with iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles grown on graphene sheets via a facile economical one pot hydrothermal method and consequently characterized by standard analytical techniques. Synthesized Fe2O3 with WO3 nanoparticles were well ornamented on surface of the graphene sheets which have a significant charge transfer properties. The resulting hybrid WO3-Fe2O3-rGO (WFG) nanocomposites showed enhanced photocatalytic, heavy metal removal and antibacterial activities. The superior photocatalytic removal efficiencies were observed for the removal of rhodamine B (similar to 94%) and methylene blue dyes (similar to 98%) under solar light irradiation. The antibacterial activity of WFG nanocomposites were performed against Escherichia coil (E.coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) as models for Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The outcome of the results have an intellectual effect on the use of WFG nanocomposites to address the upcoming energy and environment issues.