Photocatalytic Comparative Study of TiO₂, ZnO, Ag-G-ZnO and Ag-G-TiO₂ Nanocomposite Films

Abstract:

In this study, the photocatalytic properties and morphology of TiO₂, ZnO, Ag-graphene-zinc oxide (Ag-G-ZnO) and Ag-graphene-titanium dioxide (Ag-G-TiO₂) nanocomposite were compared. The Ag-G-ZnO and Ag-G-TiO₂ nanocomposite were successfully prepared by thermal decomposition of colloidal solution. These prepared composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy and photocatalytic activities. The results from XRD patterns show that Ag-G-TiO₂ composites and the Ag-G-ZnO nanocomposites were in the form of fcc and hcp crystal structure, respectively. The SEM images show that at calcination of 500 °C for 3 h, the composite thin film of Ag-G-ZnO and Ag-G-TiO₂ were homogenous. In the case of the photocatalytic experiments using methylene blue dye (MB) under UV irradiation, the order of the photocatalytic activities from high to low performances are Ag-G-ZnO, Ag-G-TiO₂, ZnO and TiO₂, respectively.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 751)
• Pages: 825-830
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.751.825
• Online since: August 2017
• Authors: Phuri Kalnaowakul, Tonghathai Phairatana, Aphichart Rodchanarowan*
• Keywords: Composite Materials, Photocatalytic Activity, Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂), ZNO

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