Structure and Photocatalytic Properties of ZnO/RGO Composite

ZnO/RGO (ZnO/Reduced Graphite Oxide) composites were synthesized at low temperature (60 degrees C) using ZnSO4 and GO (Graphite Oxide) as precursors. The as-prepared samples have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), etc. During the formation the composites, GO was reduced to RGO (Reduced Graphite Oxide, RGO). The actives groups, such as C = O and C-O-C disappeared or sharply weakened, while C = C appeared in the reaction processes. The ZnO/RGO composites have layered structures, which greatly dependent on The pretreatment means of GO. Compared with pure ZnO, ZnO/RGO composites showed greatly enhanced UV photocatalytic activity. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of ZnO/RGO showed a significant decline compared to that of pure ZnO, suggesting the inhibited recombination of excited electron hole pair (e(-)-h(+)). The enhancement of photocatalytic activity for ZnO/RGO Could be attributed the migration effect of photoinduced electrons on the interface of RGO and ZnO.