Enhanced photocatalytic performance of partially reduced graphene oxide under simulated solar light through loading gold nanoparticles

Partially reduced graphene oxide (PRGO) was prepared by reduction of graphene oxide with L-ascorbic acid, a mild reducing agent. As-prepared PRGO showed favorable photocatalytic performance for the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under simulated solar light irradiation. After loading Au nanoparticles (NPs) on the PRGO sheet, significant enhancement was found in the degradation of MO due to the electron traps, surface plasmon resonance excitation and UV excitation of Au NPs.