A one-step method for fabrication of CdMoO4–graphene composite photocatalyst and their enhanced photocatalytic properties

• Graphene–CdMoO4 composite photocatalyst was prepared for the first time.
• The as-prepared composite photocatalysts show high activity for dye degradation.
• Effect of graphene amount on the photocatalytic activity was investigated.

Cadmium molybdate (CdMoO4) was deposited on graphene (G) using a facile one-step method. The obtained composite photocatalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) and Raman spectra. The photocatalytic activity of as-prepared samples was investigated by degradation of Reactive Brilliant Red X-3B (C.I. reactive red 2) under UV light irradiation. Remarkable enhancement of the photocatalytic activity was observed on G–CdMoO4 composite photocatalysts compared with pure CdMoO4. This improvement was attributed to the following two reasons: enhanced migration efficiency of photo-induced electrons and enhanced adsorption activity for dye molecules. The effect of graphene amount on the photoactivity of the composite photocatalysts was also investigated, and an optimal amount (2.5%) was found. It would provide a potential composite material with high efficiency for the photocatalytic degradation of dye wastewater.

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