Facile Synthesis and Photocatalytic Performance of WO3/rGO Nanocomposite for Degradation of 1-Naphthol

Abstract

In this study, WO 3–rGO nanocomposites were synthesized via a facile chemical method followed by a calcination process. The samples were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, BET technique, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results confirmed the formation of the nanocomposites. Photocatalytic activity of the synthesized samples was evaluated in degradation of 1-naphthol as a polycyclic aromatic pollutant under irradiation of xenon lamp. The concentration of the pollutant was measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Efficient photocatalytic performance was observed and the kinetics data were well described by Langmuir–Hinshelwood model.