Enhanced photocatalytic performance of ultrasound treated GO/TiO2 composite for photocatalytic degradation of salicylic acid under sunlight illumination

Abstract

The current research work deals with the preparation of TiO₂ and GO/TiO₂ composite by simple, chemical, cost effective hydrothermal method. Graphene oxide (GO) is prepared by modified Hummer's method. Dispersion of GO is achieved by an ultrasonic cleaning bath for 1 h. using a power of 200 W and at a frequency of 40 kHz. The prepared catalyst material is characterized by different characterization techniques. XRD study confirms the prepared material is polycrystalline in nature. The synthesized TiO₂ and GO/TiO₂ photocatalyst materials are used to study the photocatalytic degradation of salicylic acid under sunlight illumination. GO/TiO₂ composite shows superior photocatalytic activity than TiO₂. GO/TiO₂ composite shows 57% degradation of salicylic acid. Mineralization of salicylic acid is studied using chemical oxygen demand.