Anchoring a uniform TiO2 layer on graphene oxide sheets as an efficient visible light photocatalyst

TiO2–graphene oxide (GO) was successfully prepared by a two-step approach including the in situ growth of a uniform TiC layer on graphene oxide sheets and subsequently oxidation conversion of TiC to anatase TiO2. The as-prepared composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. The results suggest that TiO2–GO keep the similar morphology with the pristine GO sheets and the nanosize anatase TiO2 particles distribute uniformly and densely on the surface of GO sheets. TiO2 particles contact closely with GO via Ti-O-C bonds. The presence of GO provides a good support substrate and enhances the adsorption capacity and photo-degradation ability of the composite photocatalyst. And by adjusting the molar ratio of GO and titanium powder in the molten salt process, TiO2–GO nanocomposites with controllable contents of GO and TiO2, good adsorption capacity and excellent photo-degradation ability can be obtained.