New green synthesized reduced graphene oxide–ZrO2 composite as high performance photocatalyst under sunlight

Abstract

We report a green route method for the effective reduction of graphene oxide using Cinnamon extract. ZrO₂ nanomaterial synthesized via facile green induced method and zirconia–reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite (NC) synthesized by reflux method. The structural properties of the prepared NC had been characterized using PXRD, SEM, TEM, Raman, PL and XPS analysis. Further, the excellent photocatalytic properties of NC for the decomposition of reactive blue 4 compared to commercial P25 can be attributed to its excellent electrical properties and well connected arrangement derived from the structural reward of the ZrO₂ and rGO support. This results in significant electron-acceptor/transport of graphene materials that effectively decrease the photo-generated electron–hole recombination thereby enhancing the absorption of light. It opens new window to use this eco-friendly, simple and low cost method to synthesize reduced graphene-based composite materials.