Photocatalytic degradation of ethylene using titanium dioxide nanotube arrays with Ag and reduced graphene oxide irradiated by γ-ray radiolysis

•Titanium dioxide nanotube arrays (TNTAs) were prepared successfully by anodic oxidation method and irradiated under 60Co-γ radiation.•Silver nitrate and graphite oxide were irradiated under 60Co-γ rays to form Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO).•AgNPs and rGO were modified on the surface of *TNTAs to make up composite photocatalysts (labeled as AgNPs/rGO-*TNTAs).•AgNPs/rGO-*TNTAs showed excellent photocatalytic performance for controlling ethylene in cold storage environments.

Titanium dioxide nanotube arrays (*TNTAs) made by anodic oxidation method and irradiated under 60Co-γ radiation combining with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) irradiated by 60Co-γ rays as well were investigated for photocatalytic degradation of ethylene in cold storage environment. Rate constant K of degradation was selected to describe the decomposition efficiency of ethylene with the new photocatalytic composite material (AgNPs/rGO-*TNTAs). Microstructure of the materials as prepared were characterized using analytic techniques: Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), Raman Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). We also compared the performance of five photocatalysts (Thermal annealing TNTAs, *TNTAs, rGO-*TNTAs, AgNPs-*TNTAs, AgNPs/rGO-*TNTAs) concerning ethylene decomposition. Results showed that AgNPs/rGO-*TNTAs exhibited enhancement of photocatalytic degradation of ethylene compared with rGO-*TNTAs and AgNPs-*TNTAs in photocatalytic process. Photocatalytic activity and structural evolution of photocatalysts irradiated by gamma rays and impact of the photocatalysts properties responsible for enhancing photocatalytic activity were discussed.

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