Preparation and photocatalytic activity of TiO2-exfoliated graphite oxide composite using an ecofriendly graphite oxidation method

Abstract A simple and effective stepwise-method was developed to produce expanded exfoliated graphite oxide (EGO). Using a combination of ozone exposure and thermal treatment we demonstrate that a graphite surface can be modified to generate a graphene-like surface containing oxygen and sp 3 carbon. This expanded exfoliated graphite oxide is useful for the production, through thermal treatment, of photocatalytic TiO 2 -EGO composites which are more active than those produce by the Hummers method. The photocatalytic activity of TiO 2 -EGO in methylene blue (MB) bleaching under UV light is enhanced in comparison with TiO 2 P25.