Tellurium-reduced graphene oxide two-dimensional (2D) architecture for efficient photo-catalytic effluent: Solution for industrial water waste

Abstract In recent years, two-dimensional (2D) material architecture has captivated attention of photocatalytic-industry due to their unique chemical-, effective purification-, and efficient effluent properties. Herein, we report, nano composites of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) incorporated with different w/w % of tellurium (Te) that were synthesized and assessed for their photocatalytic application. Notably, 3% w/w Te-rGO showed superior photocatalytic behaviour over others due to passivation of oxygen in rGO at that composition. Initially, graphene oxide (GO) was reduced to rGO by in-situ variable, 1–11% w/w, Te incorporation. The homogeneous dispersion of Te resulted complete oxidization during redox process. Morphological analysis carried out by scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) showed surface modification compounded with uniform distribution of spherical Te-clusters within rGO. Infrared (IR) and Raman analysis suggested recovery of disorder at oxygen sites by Te within layers and edges. Diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) studies showed optical bandwidth of rGO (3%) to be ~5 (2.5) eV and, eventually, reduced to ~1.7 after methylene blue dye degradation. The degradation parameters were studied for molecular composition, amount of catalyst, and quantity of dye utilized under normal solar irradiance. At 3%, peculiar photocatalytic behaviour has been observed with >70% of dye degradation for 150 min compounded with maximum decay at low weight fraction (10 mg) at 10 ppm of dye. The catalyst is reusable. Details of the analysis are presented.