Enhanced photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide-doped graphene aerogel towards p-nitrophenol removal from aqueous solutions

ABSTRACT

Titanium dioxide-doped graphene aerogel (TiO₂/GA) was synthesized via one-pot the hydrothermal method. The characterisation of the prepared nanocomposite was thoroughly investigated with various modern analysis method. The results revealed a good terms in both of photo–absorption and nanoparticle sizing. The low band-gap energy of 2.61 eV and the larger specific surface area of TiO₂/GA are the main differentiators when compared to the pristine materials. The size of TiO₂ nanoparticles has been observed to range from 5 to 20 nm, which is necessary to promote a high photocatalytic performance. The photocatalytic performance of TiO₂/GA was examined through photodegradation of p-nitrophenol (PNP). The optimization via Box-Behnken model suggested that 99.89% of PNP could be removed at the pH 7, 20 mg photocatalyst dosage, and 1 mL H₂O₂ volume. With the excellent results obtained, TiO₂/GA material has extensive promise in the emoval of phenolic.

ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Titanium dioxide
• graphene aerogel
• photocatalytic degradation
• P-nitrophenol

Acknowledgments

This research is funded by Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology under grant number 45/2021/HĐ-QKHCN. We acknowledge the support of time and facilities from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), VNU-HCM for this study

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This research is funded by Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology under grant number 45/2021/HĐ-QKHCN. We acknowledge the support of time and facilities from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), VNU-HCM for this study.