Molecules (Dec 2022)

Hierarchical Ultrathin Layered GO-ZnO@CeO<sub>2</sub> Nanohybrids for Highly Efficient Methylene Blue Dye Degradation

  • Marimuthu Karpuraranjith,
  • Yuanfu Chen,
  • Ramadoss Manigandan,
  • Katam Srinivas,
  • Sivamoorthy Rajaboopathi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27248788
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 27, no. 24
p. 8788

Abstract

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Highly efficient interfacial contact between components in nanohybrids is a key to achieving great photocatalytic activity in photocatalysts and degradation of organic model pollutants under visible light irradiation. Herein, we report the synthesis of nano-assembly of graphene oxide, zinc oxide and cerium oxide (GO-ZnO@CeO2) nanohybrids constructed by the hydrothermal method and subsequently annealed at 300 °C for 4 h. The unique graphene oxide sheets, which are anchored with semiconducting materials (ZnO and CeO2 nanoparticles), act with a significant role in realizing sufficient interfacial contact in the new GO-ZnO@CeO2 nanohybrids. Consequently, the nano-assembled structure of GO-ZnO@CeO2 exhibits a greater level (96.66%) of MB dye degradation activity than GO-ZnO nanostructures and CeO2 nanoparticles on their own. This is due to the thin layers of GO-ZnO@CeO2 nanohybrids with interfacial contact, suitable band-gap matching and high surface area, preferred for the improvement of photocatalytic performance. Furthermore, this work offers a facile building and cost-effective construction strategy to synthesize the GO-ZnO@CeO2 nanocatalyst for photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants with long-term stability and higher efficiency.

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