Fabrication and photocatalytic ability of an Au/TiO 2 /reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite

A new type of Au/TiO 2 /reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposite was fabricated by the hydrothermal synthesis of TiO 2 on graphene oxide followed by the photodeposition of Au nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy images showed that Au nanoparticles were loaded onto the surface of both TiO 2 and RGO. Au/TiO 2 /RGO had a better photocatalytic activity than Au/ TiO 2 for the degradation of phenol. Electrochemical measurements indicated that Au/TiO 2 /RGO had an improved charge transfer capability. Meanwhile, chemiluminescent analysis and electron spin resonance spectroscopy revealed that Au/TiO 2 /RGO displayed high production of hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals in the photocatalytic process. This high photocatalytic performance was achieved via the addition of RGO in Au/TiO 2 /RGO, where RGO served not only as a catalyst support to provide more sites for the deposition of Au nanoparticles but also as a collector to accept electrons from TiO 2 to effectively reduce photogenerated charge recombination.