Mesoporous CuO-graphene coating of mesoporous TiO2 for enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity of organic dyes

• Published in: Separation and purification technology Vol. 211; pp. 646 - 657
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Dinh Cung Tien, Cho, Kwang Youn, Oh, Won-Chun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 18.03.2019
• Subjects: Dye decomposition; Gallic acid degradation; Graphene-based nanocomposite; Mesoporous CuO; TiO2; Graphene-based nanocomposite; Mesoporous CuO; Gallic acid degradation; Dye decomposition; TiO2
• ISSN: 1383-5866; 1873-3794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2018.10.009

[Display omitted] •The high photocatalytic rate is mainly due to the high photogenerated electron-holes transport properties of the as-obtained mesoporous CuO-graphene-TiO2 photocatalyst.•This is attributed to the large BET surface area, large total pore volume, and small average pore size distribution, which play an important role in the photocatalytic performance.•The as-prepared mesoporous CuO-graphene-TiO2 material is a promising candidate for enhancing the photocatalytic performance of organic dyes, phenol compounds, and industrial wastewater. This work presents a combination of mesoporous CuO-graphene and mesoporous TiO2 materials, using a hydrothermal method at low temperature. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated for organic dyes decomposition. The high photocatalytic rate is mainly due to the high photogenerated electron-holes transport properties, as well as the mesoporous structure of the as-obtained CuO-graphene-TiO2 photocatalyst. The as-prepared materials were characterized by XRD, nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms, SEM, EDX, TEM, HR-TEM, XPS, DRS, and Raman analysis. The highest photocatalytic activity of RBB organic dyes is mainly due to the large adsorption capacity of the as-obtained CuOGT material, as well as the high separation efficient of the photogenerated e—h+ pairs. The as-prepared mesoporous CuO-graphene-TiO2 material is a promising candidate for enhancing the photocatalytic performance of organic dyes, phenol compounds, and industrial wastewater.