Fabrication of WO3 nanorods/RGO hybrid nanostructures for enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of Ciprofloxacin and Rhodamine B in an ecosystem

Highlights: • A novel RGO/WO3-nanohybrids were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. • The bandgap was found to be reduced from 2.80 to 2.32 eV with the incorporation of RGO into WO₃ matrix. • The WRG-40 nanocomposite exhibited high mineralization ability for RhB and CIP degradation. • The maximum photocatalytic activity of RhB (96%) and CIP (90%) was observed by WRG-40 composite. -- Abstract: This proposed work suggests the fabrication of hybrid WO₃/reduced graphene oxide (WRG) composites with rod-like structures through the facile hydrothermal method. The WO₃ nanorod has been grown on the GO sheet, concurrent reduction of GO has been made, and the as-prepared WRG is employed as photocatalyst. The fabricated samples structural and morphological properties were scrutinized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). The chemical composition and surface binding energy were monitored by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The WRG composites exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity for decomposing organic dye Rhodamine B (RhB) & antibiotic pollutants like Ciprofloxacin (CIP) under visible light irradiation. The adequate loading of GO on WO₃ matrix reduced the charge carrier's recombination and enhanced the degradation performance. Hybrid photocatalyst exhibit higher rate constant values; 2.76 × 10⁻² min⁻¹ and 2.07 × 10⁻² min⁻¹ for RhB and CIP pollutants, respectively.