Synthesis of F, N Co-doped TiO2 decorated reduced graphene oxide and its visible light photocatalytic properties

F and N co-doped TiO2 decorated graphene oxide composite photocatalysts (F-N-TiO2/rGO) were prepared with the graphene oxide (GO), TiO2, urea, NH4F and Vc as precursors by a one-step hydrothermal method. The composition, structure, morphology and spectral properties of the composite photocatalyst were investigated. The results show that F and N co-doped TiO2 particles with anatase phase are well-dispersed on the surface of the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets. The absorption edge of F-N-TiO2/rGO shifts to the visible light range and the optical absorption shows an enhancement in the visible light region from 400 nm to 800 nm. The degradation rate of methyl orange on F-N-TiO2/rGO composite is 1.17 mg/(h·g) under visible light, which increases 2.8 times greater than that on commercial P25. This is attributed to the interaction between TiO2 and graphene via C-Ti covalent bonds, which promotes the efficient separation of photogenerated charges resulting from the improved electrical conductivity of the rGO sheets. ©, 2015, Chinese Ceramic Society. All right reserved.