Carbonaceous layer interfaced TiO2/RGO hybrids with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performance

Abstract

A facile solvothermal method combined with heat treatment was introduced to obtain enhanced photocatalytic activity of TiO₂@C/RGO (reduced graphene oxide) photocatalyst under visible light. By adjusting the annealing temperature, the physical and chemical status of the interfacial carbonaceous layer could be successfully tuned. The carbonaceous layer with optimal thickness and degree of order obtained at 360 °C forms a good bridge between the TiO₂ particles and RGO sheet. The resulting TiO₂@C-360/RGO photocatalyst exhibited the best performance in the photodegradation of MO under visible light, benefiting from the ideal connection provided by the optimal carbonaceous layer and thus enhanced separation of activated electron–hole pairs at the interface. In addition, the photocatalytic activity was adjusted synchronously by controlling the thickness and degree of order of the carbonaceous layer in the TiO₂@C/RGO hybrids. This work indicates the importance of interface engineering to obtain TiO₂-based nanohybrids with high photocatalytic performance.