Self-assembled ZnGa2O4–RGO nanocomposites and their enhanced adsorption and photocatalytic performance in water treatment

• ZnGa2O4–RGO nanocomposites by a self-assembly approach under facile solvothermal condition.
• ZnGa2O4 NPs have a well-controlled size and uniform distribution.
• The water treatment process is formed by two successive parts: adsorption and photocatalytic degradation.
• The content of RGO sheets is crucial for optimizing the photocatalytic activity with a key value of 5%.

ZnGa2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) have been successfully anchored onto reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheets by a self-assembly approach under facile solvothermal condition. The as-synthesized ZnGa2O4–RGO nanocomposites were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results reveal that ZnGa2O4 NPs with a well-controlled size and uniform distribution were successfully assembled onto RGO sheets. Moreover, both methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RhB) were employed as model pollutants to evaluate the ability of as-prepared ZnGa2O4–RGO nanocomposites for wastewater treatment. The content of RGO sheets was found to be crucial for optimizing the photocatalytic activity of various nanocomposites with a key value of 5% beyond which the adsorption ability of ZnGa2O4–RGO nanocomposites for dyes dominates the process of water treatment.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide