A three-dimensional graphene-TiO2 nanotube nanocomposite with exceptional photocatalytic activity for dye degradation

Three dimensional nanocomposites made up of TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) and conducting reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (RGO) were fabricated successfully via hydrothermal method. These graphene/TNTs nanocomposites (GTNCs) with unique nanostructure not only provided sufficient active sites but supplied electron-transport path, Which gave big rise to their photocatalytic activity. In addition, the graphene amount and calcination temperature were intensively optimized. A series of products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of as-prepared GTNCs was investigated through the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under UV-light irradiation. The results show that these GTNCs are well-structured with outstanding photocatalytic activity which is much better than that of traditional TiO2 nanotubes.