Abstract

A Facile Synthesis of TiO2 Nanotube Co-Loaded with Pt Nanoparticles and Reduced Graphene Oxide with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity under UV/Visible Light

Author(s): Thu Ha Thi Vu, Manh Hung Do, Hang Thi Au and Lam Nguyen-Dinh

A facile and one-step method was used to prepare Pt-graphene/TiO2 nanotube (Pt/RGO-TiO2NTs) photocatalyst via a chemical reduction process. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and photoluminescence emission spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activities were investigated by the degradation of Methyl Blue (MB) under simulated solar light irradiation. The highly efficient photocatalytic activity was associated with broad absorption in the visible light region, increased photo induced charge separation through transferring photogenerated electrons from TiO2NTs to both Pt and RGO, as well as the strong adsorption ability of RGO to MB molecules. The Pt, RGO and Pt-RGO composite doped TNTs array synthesized by anodization route demonstrated the same tendency of efficiencies of photo electrochemical properties that could be benefit for developing a photo water splitter. Moreover, the Pt-RGO/TNTs had an excellent stability.