Single nanosized graphene/TiOx multi-shells on TiO2 core via rapid-concomitant reaction pathway on metal oxide/polymer interface

TL;DR

This paper introduces a rapid, dry-chemistry method to create graphene/TiOx multi-shells on TiO2 particles, enhancing visible-light photocatalytic activity through a novel in-situ growth process.

Contribution

It presents a new rapid synthesis pathway for nanostructured multishells on metal oxides, improving photocatalytic performance with a systematic investigation of growth mechanisms.

Findings

Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants under visible light.

Successful in-situ graphene growth on TiOx@TiO2 nanoparticles.

Superior performance compared to traditional synthesis methods.

Abstract

A novel design has been proposed for a facile and rapid build-up of highly tailorable nanostructured multishells on metal oxide particles (graphene/TiOx@TiO2) under a dry inert atmosphere to maximize the visible-light photocatalytic performance. We also thoroughly and systematically investigated the as-prepared nanostructured particle surface and the mechanisms of the extraordinary in-situ graphene growth on the TiOx@TiO2 nanoparticles achieved by a rapid-concomitant reaction in the metal oxide (TiO2)/polymer (polymethyl methacrylate) interface under microwave irradiation. The as-prepared composite materials are also found to perform a better photocatalytic activity in comparison to the traditional synthesis pathway for degradation of organic pollutants under visible light, associated with the synergetic effects of homo-/hetero-junction on TiO2.