Preparation of CdWO4-deposited reduced graphene oxide and its enhanced photocatalytic properties

Abstract

Reduced graphene oxide/CdWO₄ (RGO-CdWO₄) composite photocatalysts were prepared by a simple one-pot hydrothermal method. Namely, the reduction of graphene oxide and the growth of CdWO₄ crystal occurred simultaneously in one single process. The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption, UV-vis reflection spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activities of the as-prepared samples were investigated by degradation of methylene blue under UV light irradiation. An enhancement in photocatalytic activity was observed with RGO-CdWO₄ composites compared with pure CdWO₄. We also investigated the effect of the amount of graphene on the photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared composite photocatalysts. The results showed that there was an optimal amount of 2%. The mechanism of enhancement of the photocatalytic activity was also discussed.