Synthesis and Properties of Tungsten Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites

Abstract

In this paper, we report the synthesis and physical properties of tungsten oxide-reduced graphene oxide (WO3-rGO) nanocomposite. The WO3-rGO nanocomposite was prepared by a simple chemical method and the same was reduced by microwave irradiation. The as-synthesized nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy techniques. The XRD data confirms that WO 3 has tetragonal structure. The optical property was analyzed using UV-Vis and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Layer defect in rGO was analyzed by Raman spectroscopy. The PL results revealed the emission peak at 389 nm and 450 nm for rGO and WO3-rGO nanocomposite, respectively. The photocatalytic characteristic of as-prepared WO3-rGO composite was analyzed via degradation of Methylene Orange dye at two different concentration of WO3-rGO (1 mg and 5 mg). Thermo gravimetric analysis results revealed the higher thermal stability of WO3-rGO nanocomposite. The presence of functional groups was identified by Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy. Our results demonstrate the potential application of WO3-rGO nanocomposite in photocatalysis.