Facile hydrothermal synthesis of TiO2 nanospindles-reduced graphene oxide composite with a enhanced photocatalytic activity

In this study, the hydrothermal method was used to synthesize TiO2 nanospindle which are featured by large exposed {0 0 1} facets and then fabricate TiO2 nanospindle/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite (TiO2/RGO). Graphene oxide (GO) was prepared via improved Hummers' method. GO reduction to RGO and hybridization between TiO2 nanospindle and RGO by forming chemical bonding was achieved in a facile hydrothermal process. The as-prepared composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence spectrum (PL), UV-Vis absorption spectrum (UV-Vis) and Raman spectrum, respectively. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB). The prepared TiO2/RGO nanocomposite has superior photocatalytic activity in the degradation test, showing an impressive photocatalytic enhancement over pure TiO2 nanospindle which because graphene worked as the adsorbent and electron acceptor to efficiently enhance the dye photodecomposition.