Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline by RGO-ZnO composite

Abstract

The photocatalytic activities of reduced graphene oxide – zinc oxide (RGO-ZnO) nanocomposites synthesized by a simple solvothermal process are investigated under ultraviolet irradiation towards the degradation of tetracycline (TC) antibiotics in aqueous medium. The optical absorption of ZnO has been increased after making the composite with RGO. Efficient photoinduced electron transport from ZnO to RGO is confirmed by photoluminescence study. The RGO-ZnO composite shows higher efficiency compared to controlled-ZnO and RGO toward the photodegradation of TC. The result suggests that RGO plays a crucial role for the creation of superoxide radicals by efficient separation of photoinduced charges in ZnO and these photogenerated holes and created superoxide radicals are the key species for the degradation of TC.