Graphene nanodots decorated ultrathin P doped ZnO nanosheets as highly efficient photocatalysts

Abstract

A novel kind of highly efficient photocatalyst composed of ultrathin P doped ZnO (ZnO:P) nanosheets decorated with graphene nanodots (GNDs) was fabricated. Taking the unique advantages of the ultrathin ZnO nanosheet structure, and the excellent properties of the GNDs, a 1.6 wt% ZnO:P/GNDs nanosheet composite exhibited an optimum visible-light photocatalytic oxidation activity of 0.442 min⁻¹ for RhB degradation and an excellent photostability over five cycles. This can be attributed to the synergistic effect between the ZnO:P nanosheets and GNDs, leading to a significantly enhanced charge efficiency and visible light absorption.