Combination of sonochemical and freeze-drying methods for synthesis of graphene/Ag-doped TiO2 nanocomposite: A strategy to boost the photocatalytic performance via well distribution of nanoparticles between graphene sheets

Preparation of visible-light active photocatalysts for efficient degradation of pollutants from the industrial wastewater has received considerable attention in recent decades. The present study introduces a new sonochemical route for the preparation of graphene/TiO2/Ag nanocomposite for visible-light photocatalytic degradation of X6G (C.I. Reactive Yellow 2), a commonly used textile azo-dye. The obtained graphene/TiO2/Ag nanocomposite is extracted from the reaction solution by two drying methods: (1) conventional centrifuging and drying, and (2) freeze drying. Both of the dried samples are calcinated at 500 °C. The TEM images reveal that distribution of TiO2/Ag nanoparticles within the graphene sheets in the freeze dried nanocomposite is better than the conventional dried sample. Furthermore, the freeze dried nanocomposite has higher photocatalytic activity than the other nanocomposite. In conventional centrifuging and drying method, some of the TiO2/Ag nanoparticles are gradually pushed out from the graphene sheets during the drying process and graphene layers are stacked, therefore the dispersion effect of sonication is destroyed. However, in the freeze dried nanocomposite, because of the fast freezing of the sonicated sample by liquid N2, the TiO2/Ag nanoparticles are kept between the graphene sheets and calcination process attached and fixed them to the graphene, preserving the dispersion effect of sonication.