W18O49/N-doped reduced graphene oxide hybrid architectures for full-spectrum photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants in water

Abstract

Full-spectrum photocatalysis from ultraviolet to near infrared has generated immense scientific interest in environmental purification and energy conversion, which is still a huge challenge. Herein, we utilized a solution combustion method to prepare W₁₈O₄₉/N-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO) hybrid nanomaterials for full-spectrum photocatalytic degradation, which degraded organic dye molecules within a short reaction time (45 min) and demonstrated a high degradation rate (more than 90%) and a low initial concentration of degradation (50 mg L⁻¹). Moreover, the relationship between irradiation light source, temperature, time, photocatalytic properties and photocatalytic mechanism of the degraded organic dye molecules have been investigated. This research afforded a full-spectrum photocatalyst for effectively removing organic dyes under any wavelength range of sunlight, whether UV, Vis or NIR light.