The Effect of Calcination Temperature and Time on the Synthesis of Graphene nanoplatelets - TiO₂ Composites on Photocatalytic Performance

Abstract

TiO2 is the most widely used photocatalytic material to degrade waste compounds. To improve the photocatalytic performance of TiO2, graphene nanoplatelets were used as doping on TiO2. Graphene nanoplatelets are a hybrid between graphene and graphite. Graphene nanoplatelets have attractive features, including mechanical toughness, and for composite material applications. In this report, we investigate the effect of calcination on the synthesis of graphene nanoplatelets-TiO2 synthesis material for photocatalytic processes. Graphene nanoplatelets-TiO2 composites were prepared by stirring and evaporation methods. Then the composite was calcined at a temperature of 400°C, 500°C 600°C at intervals for 1, 2, 3 hours respectively. The composites were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR, SEM, BET, and UV-vis. The effect of calcination temperature on the surface, morphology, microstructure and photocatalytic activity of the graphene nanoplatelets-TiO2 composite was investigated further. The photocatalytic performance of the graphene nanoplatelets-TiO2 composite was evaluated for the photodegradation of phenol in an aqueous solution under a mercury lamp. Based on the results of the performance test in degrading phenol, the best results were obtained at a calcination temperature of 500°C for 3 hours. From the results of the characterization, it can be explained that 500°C calcination of this composite can improve the photocatalytic process in degrading of phenol.