Graphene oxide nanocomposite with CuSe and photocatalytic removal of methyl green dye under visible light irradiation

In sight of promising catalytic activity of composite materials, present investigation was designed to prepare the composite of copper selenide nanoparticles and graphene oxide (CuSe/GO) by hydrothermal route. The properties of the prepared material was studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV-Visible techniques. The catalytic activity of CuSe/GO was monitored selecting methyl green (MG) dye as model and effect of irradiation time, catalyst dose, dye initial concentration and pH was studied on dye degradation. The CuSe showed promising photocatalytic activity (PCA) and up to 81% dye removal was realized at pH 5, 0.025 g catalyst dose (CuSe), 30 mg/L dye concentration within 45 min of irradiation, which was increased to 89% in case of CuSe/GO under similar conditions. The MG dye degradation followed Behnajady-Modirshahla-Ghanbery (BMG) kinetics model. Under the existing situation of water pollution, there is a need to improve and apply efficient materials for the treatment of dyes. The CuSe/GO have potential as a photocatayst and can be functional for the removal of dyes in the effluents.