Preparation and characterization of ZnO-graphene composite photocatalyst

ZnO is one of potential semiconductor materials in photocatalytic field, and appears to be a suitable alternative to TiO2, due to its photochemical properties and photodegradation mechanism similar to TiO2. Graphene is a single 2D carbon sheet with large specific surface and excellent electric conductivity. The combination of ZnO and graphene could extremely improve the photocatalytic activity of ZnO. Herein we prepared ZnO-graphene nanocomposite photocatalyst using graphite and ZnO by a facile one-step hydrothermal method. During the hydrothermal reactions, both of the reduction of graphene oxide and loading of ZnO were occurred simultaneously and the desired product was obtained. The as-prepared ZnO-graphene photocatalyst exhibited extraordinaire photocatalytic properties. Results of photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange show that the photocatalysis efficiency of the composite was significant enhanced, compared to pure ZnO. This work could provide new avenue for the fabrication of ZnO-carbon based composites, facilitating their application in pollutions degradation issues.