One-pot composite synthesis of three-dimensional graphene oxide/poly (vinyl alcohol)/TiO2 microspheres for organic dye removal

Three-dimensional graphene oxide (3D-GO), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and TiO2 microspheres (3D-GO/PVA/TiO2) composite was prepared via one-pot synthesis by using aqueous suspension of PVA and 3D-GO sheets as support in the presence of TiO2 microspheres. Photocatalytic activity of 3D-GO/PVA/TiO2 toward dyes was enhanced by the improved adsorption performance caused by the rich pi-conjugation structure of GO and porous 3D-GO/PVA sheets. Methylene blue (MB) and methyl violet (MV) were adsorbed onto the resultant composite in dark for 30 min and irradiated under simulated solar light for 2 h. Degradation ratios of MB and MV were approximately 95% and 96%, respectively. Results from the evaluation of repeatability toward MB and MV degradation showed that the 3D-GO/PVAITiO(2) composite were stable and reusable. Therefore, this novel composite may be applied in the treatment of wastewater polluted by dyes and in environmental cleaning. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.