Well-aligned graphene oxide nanosheets decorated with zinc oxide nanocrystals for high performance photocatalytic application

Graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets modified with zinc oxide nanocrystals were achieved by a green wet-chemical approach. As-obtained products were characterized by XRD, Raman spectra, XPS, HR-TEM, EDS, PL and Photocatalytic studies. XRD studies indicate that the GO nanosheet have the same crystal structure found in hexagonal form of ZnO. The enhanced Raman spectrum of 2D bands confirmed formation of single layer graphene oxides. The gradual photocatalytic reduction of the GO nanosheet in the GO:ZnO suspension of ethanol was studied by using X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopy. The nanoscale structures were observed and confirmed using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The evolution of the elemental composition, especially the various numbers of layers were determined from energy dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS). PL properties of GO:ZnO nanosheet were found to be dependent on the growth condition and the resultant morphology revealed that GO nanosheet were highly transparent in the visible region. The photocatalytic performance of GO:ZnO nanocomposites was performed under UV irradiation. Therefore, the ZnO nanocrystals in the GO:ZnO composite could be applied in gradual chemical reduction and consequently tuning the electrical conductivity of the graphene oxide nanosheet.