Synthesis of novel yttrium-doped graphene oxide nanocomposite for dye removal

Abstract

A novel yttrium-doped graphene oxide (GOY) composite was prepared by a hydrothermal method. The morphology results showed that graphene oxide (GO) can successfully form a composite with yttrium and that the as-prepared GOY had a nanoflake structure. From the photoelectrochemical analysis and photoluminescence (PL) spectra, the primary role of GO in Y₂O₃ was confirmed as an electron conductor, which enhanced the photocurrent density. As expected, the as-obtained GOY composites had better photocatalytic performance for the decomposition of methylene blue molecules than bare GO and Y₂O₃. The 5 GOY (10 mg) could degrade MB (25 ppm) thoroughly (∼100%) within 10 min, which was quite comparable with the commercial TiO₂ P25 under UV irradiation. In addition, a possible mechanism of photocatalysis is presented.