Photocatalytic activity of spark plasma sintered TiO2–graphene nanoplatelet composite

This study reports on the photocatalytic activity of TiO2–1 vol.% graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) composite synthesized by spark plasma sintering. Graphene platelets form a strong interface with sub-micron TiO2 grains providing increased pathways for improved electron transport. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2–GNP was measured by methylene blue solution decomposition under UV light exposure. The addition of 1 vol.% GNP to TiO2 improved its photocatalytic property by 25% by enhancing the electron mobility and reducing the photoexcited electron–hole recombination rate.