Hydrothermal Synthesis of Silver Decorated Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) Nanoflakes with Effective Photocatalytic Activity for Wastewater Treatment

• Published in: Nanoscale research letters Vol. 15; no. 1; p. 95
• Main Authors: Ikram, Muhammad, Raza, Ali, Imran, Muhammad, Ul-Hamid, Anwar, Shahbaz, Atif, Ali, Salamat
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 28-04-2020; Springer Nature B.V; SpringerOpen
• Subjects: Catalytic activity; Chemistry and Materials Science; Crystal structure; Diffraction patterns; Electron microscopes; Field emission microscopy; Fourier transforms; Functional groups; Graphene; Heat treatment; Heat treatments; Holes (electron deficiencies); Hydrothermal crystal growth; Infrared spectroscopy; Materials Science; Molecular Medicine; Morphology; Nano Express; Nanochemistry; Nanoflake; Nanoscale Science and Technology; Nanotechnology; Nanotechnology and Microengineering; Optical properties; Photocatalysis; Photocatalysts; Photoluminescence; Photons; Raman spectroscopy; Recombination; rGO, Photocatalytic; Scanning electron microscopy; Silver; Spectrum analysis; Vibration; Waste water; Wastewater treatment; X-ray diffraction; Silver; Nanoflake; rGO, Photocatalytic; Waste water
• ISSN: 1931-7573; 1556-276X; 1556-276X
• DOI: 10.1186/s11671-020-03323-y

Graphene oxide (GO) was obtained through modified hummers method, and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was acquired by employing heat treatment. Various concentrations (2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 wt. %) of silver (Ag) were incorporated in GO nanosheets by adopting hydrothermal approach. Synthesized Ag decorated rGO photocatalyst Ag/rGO was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) to determine phase purity and crystal structure. XRD patterns showed the formation of GO to Ag/rGO. Molecular vibration and functional groups were determined through Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Optical properties and a decrease in bandgap with insertion of Ag were confirmed with UV-Visible (Uv-Vis) spectrophotometer and photoluminescence (PL). Electronic properties and disorders in carbon structures were investigated through Raman spectroscopy that revealed the existence of characteristic bands (D and G). Surface morphology of prepared samples was examined with field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). Homogeneous distribution, size, and spherical shape of Ag NPs over rGO sheets were further confirmed with the help of high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM). Dye degradation of doped and undoped samples was examined through Uv-Vis spectra. Experimental results indicated that photocatalytic activity of Ag@rGO enhanced with increased doping ratio owing to diminished electron-hole pair recombination. Therefore, it is suggested that Ag@rGO can be used as a beneficial and superior photocatalyst to clean environment and wastewater.