Fabrication of WO2.72/RGO nano-composites for enhanced photocatalysis

Abstract

WO_2.72 nanoparticles with sizes below 10 nm have been synthesized via controllable alcoholysis followed by thermal treatment. Through an in situ loading process, homogeneous composites containing WO_2.72 nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide, i.e. WO_2.72/RGO, can be fabricated. The physico-chemical properties of the as-prepared WO_2.72 and WO_2.72/RGO composites are investigated by means of XRD, Raman, XPS, TGA, SEM, TEM and UV-vis spectroscopy. The RGO support, as a very good electron conductor, can efficiently transfer the photo-generated electrons formed on WO_2.72 and suppress their recombination. As a result, WO_2.72/RGO nano-composites exhibit remarkable photocatalytic activity in both the oxygen evolution from water splitting and selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol, several times higher than pristine WO_2.72. The better light harvesting properties of WO_2.72/RGO nano-composites than WO_2.72 nanoparticles can be directly demonstrated by photocurrent response analysis.