Synthesis and Characterization of Hetero-metallic Oxides-Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites for Photocatalytic Applications

Abstract A new AgO.CuO.WO3/rGO nanocomposite was designed for the investigation of the degradation ability of the hybrid material under visible light irradiation. The AgO, CuO, WO3 NPs, and AgO.CuO.WO3 hetero-metallic oxides were fabricated via the chemical co-precipitation method. The crystallite sizes and phase analyses were investigated by recording X-ray diffraction patterns. The crystallite sizes of three metal oxides in the AgO.CuO.WO3 hetero metal oxide were 16.7, 15.9, and 16.9 nm, respectively. The FESEM images at various magnifications were probed to study the morphology of synthesized materials. The micrographs of hetero-metallic oxides AgO.CuO.WO3 exposed that three metal oxides merged like small particles and gives a large bulbous appearance. EDX analyses confirmed the formation of required materials with high purity. FTIR data was in agreement with the literature which facilitated to ensure the purity of synthesized samples. The optical bandgap energy was calculated via the Tauc plot indicating that the blend of three metal oxides generated a new energy level in the electronic structure is suitable for photocatalysis in the presence of visible light. The bandgap energy of hetero metallic oxides was 1.25 eV which is less than individual metal oxides signifying the tuning of the bandgap. The incorporation of rGO in AgO.CuO.WO3 hetero-metallic oxides gives a new photocatalyst for optimum photodegradation of methylene blue in minimum time. The percentage degradation via AgO.CuO.WO3 was 87.20% in 70 min while the percentage degradation via AgO.CuO.WO3/rGO recorded by photocatalytic experiment was 95% in 40 min. The photocatalysis data revealed that AgO.CuO.WO3 hetero-metallic oxides-rGO nanocomposite ensured a strong potential to uptake organic dyes from water by promoting redox reactions during photocatalysis in the minimum time limit.