Reduced graphene oxide/potassium niobate composite nanoscrolls with enhanced photocatalytic activity for dye degradation

Reduced graphene oxide/potassium niobate composite nanoscrolls were prepared by incorporating reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets into potassium niobate sheets at room temperature. The composite nanoscrolls were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, UV–vis diffusion reflectance spectra and fluorescence spectra. For the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under UV light, the degradation efficiency of the composite nanoscrolls can reach 68.3% after irradiation for 30 min, increased 34.3% relative to the pure potassium niobium nanotubes. The dramatically enhanced activity can be attributed to the synergistic contribution of both a retarded charge recombination rate caused by a high electronic mobility of RGO and an increased surface adsorption of RhB.

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► Graphene/potassium niobate composite nanoscrolls were prepared by a simple procedure.
► The nanoscrolls showed a higher photocatalytic activity for degradation of RhB.
► The synergistic effects of adsorption and charge separation played vital roles.
► The composite nanoscrolls had potential applications in environmental issues.