Graphene-Based Multi-Nanocomposites: Synthesis, Characterization and Photodegradation Analysis

In this study, Hummer's method was modified to synthesize graphene oxide (GO). GO-based nanocomposites GO/ZnO, GO/MoO₃, and GO/ZnO/MoO₃ were synthesized using co-precipitation and solid-state reaction methods. The prepared GO and nanocomposites were characterized using UV-Visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). SEM images showed distinct morphological differences among GO, GO/ZnO, and GO/MoO₃, while UV-Visible and Raman spectroscopy demonstrated the influence of ZnO and MoO₃ on the optical properties and interactions of GO. Using visible light irradiation, photocatalytic degradation studies showed improved results for the GO/MoO₃ nanocomposites. The 93% degradation of methylene blue (MB) achieved by GO/MoO₃ after 280 minutes was greater than that of GO/ZnO/MoO₃ (92% degradation at 360 minutes) and GO/ZnO (93% degradation at 340 minutes) within the same period. High efficiency photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation of GO/MoO₃ nanocomposites were shown by these findings, demonstrating their strong potential for environmental remediation applications.