Graphene Oxide supported Tio2 nanocomposites

Title : Graphene Oxide supported Tio2 nanocomposites

Abstract:

TiO2 is the most extensively used photocatalysts in the advance oxidation processes owing to their complementary psychochemical properties, low cost, non-toxicity and high efficacy. However, poor adsorption capacity, formation of rapid aggregates in suspension systems and recycling problems limit the utilization of bare TiO2. Higher specific surface area and more effective adsorption sites are being elucidating advantages of using supported catalysts. The enhanced degradation rates can be attributed to the increased condensation of pollutants on the supported catalysts by adsorption and the reduced electron-hole recombination process on the surface. Therefore, in practical applications, attempts have been made to use porous adsorbent materials for supporting catalyst nanoparticles.

Graphene is a two-dimensional material, composed of single-, bi- and few- (≤10) layers of carbon atoms forming six-membered rings. In recent years, graphene-related materials have been used in the adsorption processes due to the large surface area and ordered layered structure. In addition, graphene oxide possesses the ability to accept the electrons from semiconductors and to prevent recombination of photo generated electrons and holes.

In this study, graphene oxide supported TiO2 nanocomposite is synthesized and characterized by using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) Analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Enegy Disperse X-Ray Analysis (SEM-EDX). Photocataytic activity of the composite is examined for the decolorization of methyl orange (MO) under UV irradiation.

Biography:

A.Neren Ökte is a Professor of Physical Chemistry in Boğaziçi University. Her research interests cover physical and material chemistry, in particular, photocatalysis, supported catalyst systems, transition and inner transition metal-ion loaded photocatalysts, kinetics and photochemistry.