Mn2O3 decorated graphene nanosheet: An advanced material for the photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes

A one step sonochemical route has been developed to prepare graphene–Mn2O3 nanocomposite with uniform distribution of Mn2O3 nanoparticles throughout the surface of graphene nanosheet. Growth of such nanoparticles over this two dimensional carbon network is simply accelerated by the simultaneous reduction of potassium permanganate along with graphene oxide, in which metal ions are first anchored through binding with oxy-functional groups of graphene oxide and finally reduced by hydrazine. The final product ensure a new platform for the photodegradation of organic dyes, as it can store electrons and circulate them towards dye molecules through the formation of hydroxyl radical under the exposure of UV-light. Almost 80% photocatalytic degradation of eosin, methylene blue and rhodamine B have been observed within few minutes, which has not been obtained by using bare manganese oxide itself.

A facile and economical route has been developed for the synthesis of graphene–Mn2O3 nanocomposite in which Mn2O3 nanoparticles are uniformly distributed throughout the surface of the graphene nanosheet with their average sizes ranging from 8 to 10 nm. It shows a brilliant catalytic activity during the photodegradation of several organic dyes as compare to both of the bare manganese oxide and graphene too.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► One step sonochemical synthesis of graphene–Mn2O3 nanocomposite.
► Growth of such nanoparticles over graphene is accelerated by the simultaneous reduction with KMnO4.
► The composite can effectively use as heterogeneous catalyst during the photodegradation of organic dyes.
► It exhibits ∼84%, ∼80% and ∼60% degradation of MB, eosin and RB respectively within a few minutes.