Photocatalytic Behaviour of Nanocomposites of Sputtered Titanium Oxide Film on Graphene Oxide Nanosheets

摘要

In this investigation, fabrication, characterization and photocatalytic properties of graphene oxide nanosheets (GONs) and titanium oxide (TiO₂) thin film composites, has been reported. Graphene oxide nanosheets were prepared by using a bottom-up approach, namely, hydrothermal route. Sucrose and de-ionized water were the constituents and synthesis was carried out by using an autoclave. GONs were scooped on a glass substrate. GON-glass substrate combination was annealed in argon to restore the conductivities. Deposited GONs were coated with TiO₂ using reactive magnetron sputtering. The as-deposited TiO₂ was amorphous and another annealing treatment was given to convert it into crystalline phase. The composites were characterized using X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Their photocatalytic properties were investigated by using UV-Visible spectroscopy. Photocatalytic behaviour was compared with bare TiO₂. Methyl orange solution was used as a model solution. It was observed that GONs provided a good support for TiO₂. The graphene oxide layer enhances the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ by at-least three times compared to bare TiO₂.