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Graphene Quantum Dot - Titania Nanoparticle Composite for Photocatalytic Water Splitting

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 June 2016

Sowbaranigha Chinnusamy Jayanthi ,
Ravneet Kaur  and
Folarin Erogbogbo
Sowbaranigha Chinnusamy Jayanthi
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA95112, U.S.A.
Ravneet Kaur*
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA95112, U.S.A.
Folarin Erogbogbo
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA95112, U.S.A.
*
*(Email: ravneet.kaur@sjsu.edu)
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Abstract

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) of different sizes were synthesized by the top-down approach, using charcoal as the precursor material. Size and absorption characteristics of synthesized GQDs were analyzed using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Photoluminescence Spectroscopy (PL), and UV-vis Spectroscopy. The results showed that GQDs with an average height of 8.5 nm, synthesized at a relatively lower temperature of 85°C, exhibited higher UV and visible light absorption. GQD concentration was varied to form 0.5, 1, 2.5, and 5 wt.% GQD-titania (TiO2) nano composites. Surface morphology of the composite was examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Photocatalytic activity of the samples was assessed from methylene blue dye degradation in UV irradiation at 340nm. A distinguishable trend for pure TiO2 and composites at various concentrations were observed.

Keywords

nanostructurephotochemicalscanning electron microscopy (SEM)
Type
Articles
Information
MRS Advances , Volume 1 , Issue 28: Nanotechnology , 2016 , pp. 2071 - 2077
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2016 

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References

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