Spherical NiWO4-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite for effective visible light driven photocatalytic activity for the decolourisation of organic pollutants

Abstract

A hybrid nanocomposite of nickel tungstate – reduced graphene oxide (NiWO4-RGO) was prepared using a surfactant free hydrothermal approach. Resulting hybrid nanocomposite powder was grounded for forty minutes to ensure homogeneity and avoid agglomerations of particles. Resulting nanocomposite was characterised by XRD, FTIR, FESEM and EDX analysis. Photocatalytic activities of the characterised catalyst were examined by the decolourisation of Methylene blue (MB) and ortho-nitrophenol (ONP) under visible light irradiation were conducted at room temperature. The results confirmed that 15 wt% NiWO4-RGO composite was degraded almost completely MB (95%) and ONP (82%) within 150 and 240 min respectively under visible light sources. The catalyst was reused and stable for successive six runs with loss of 10% of degradation rate.

Keywords

• Hydrothermal
• NiWO4-RGO
• Photocatalysis
• Methylene blue
• Ortho nitrophenol