Synthesis and Photocatalytic Activity of Cr Doped TiO2 Nanowires/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composites

Cr-doped TiO2 nanowires/reduced graphene oxide composites (Cr-TiO(2)NWs/RGO) were synthesized via alkaline hydrothermal method, in which commercial TiO2 nanoparticles(P25) and graphene oxide(GO) were used as the precursors while Cr(NO3)(3) center dot 9H(2)O was used as the Cr source-Other samples, such as TiO2 nanowires(TiO(2)NWs), were prepared via the similar method. The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy(UV-Vis DRS). The photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated by measuring the photodegradation of methylene blue(MB) under visible light irradiation. The results showed that the degradation rate of MB catalyzed by Cr-TiO(2)NWs/RGO was 2-2 times that catalyzed by TiO(2)NWs within 120 min, and the degradation speed of MB catalyzed by Cr-TiO(2)NWs/RGO is 5-8 times that catalyzed by TiO(2)NWs.