Photocatalytic performance of TiO2 modified with graphene derivatives and Fe (Ⅲ) at different thermal reduction temperatures

Abstract

ABSTRACT To further investigate the synergistic effects of Fe (Ⅲ) and graphene derivatives with varying degrees of oxidation for photocatalysis, commercial titanium dioxide nanoparticles and graphene oxide were employed as precursors to synthesize the catalyst in this study. Graphene oxygenated derivatives and Fe (Ⅲ)-modified titanium dioxide photocatalysts with different oxidation degrees were prepared using a simple one-step solvothermal method. The results demonstrated that the photocatalytic performance in degrading rhodamine B and sulfamethoxazole was enhanced with an increase in the oxidation degrees of graphene materials. Through the combined action of delocalized conjugated π electrons as electron transfer mediators, Fe (Ⅲ) as an electron trap, and photosensitization reactions, titanium dioxide exhibited exceptional photocatalytic properties with the assistance of graphene derivatives and Fe (Ⅲ) co-catalysts in the degradation of organic compounds.