Synthesis of In2O3-graphene composites and their photocatalytic performance towards perfluorooctanoic acid decomposition

• In2O3 enwrapped graphene was synthesis by a sonication-assisted solution route.
• The graphene coverage on In2O3 depends profoundly on the calcination temperature.
• Graphene coverage influenced photocatalytic decomposition of perfluorooctane acid.
• In2O3-graphene obtained at 400 °C shows higher photocatlytic activity.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is an emerging persistent organic pollutant, which cannot be effectively decomposed by TiO2-base photocatalysis under mild condition. The In2O3-graphene composite was synthesized and its photocatalytic performance for PFOA decomposition was investigated. The graphene was enwrapped on the surface of In2O3 via a sonication-assisted solution route followed by heat treatment. The coverage of graphene on In2O3 was influenced by the calcination temperature. The In2O3 samples partially enwrapped by graphene showed enhanced activity for PFOA decomposition, while full coverage with graphene harm the photocatalytic activity of In2O3.

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